TMJWiTn^nJM 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/dedicationofnortOOnortiala 


PHOTOOMVURE    BY    HASTINGS,    147   TREMONT   STREET,    BOSTON, 


^  Wou-     \^  .  'NfY^vjL-oXt 


^' 


CXA^CVX^  • 


C- 


DEDICATION 


IWOI  mm  UEMRY 


iviy 


NORTON,   MASS. 


WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  1,  15S8. 


The  Bunj>iNG  erected  axd  with  grounds  and  enclosure  (jivkn' 

TO  THE  TOWN  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  LlBR^VRY  CORPORATION 

BY  Mrs.  Eliza  B.  Wheatox. 


A  FULL  KEPORT,  WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Norton,  Mass. 

Issued  by  the  Board  of  Directors. 

Press  of  Lane  Brothers. 

1888. 


7- 

-733 

DM 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTON, 

Represented  by  its  Selectmen  : 

Hon.  AUSTIN  MESSINGER, 

GEORGE  R.  PERRY,  Esq., 

WILLIAM  ALLEN  LANE,  Ehu. 


The  Board  of  Library  Directors. 

By  the  Constitution  of  the  Library  Corporation  three 
Directors  are  elected  annually  for  the  term  of  three  years, 
and  the  three  Selectmen  elected  by  the  town  are  ex  officio 
members  of  the  Board. 


WILLIAM  E.  PAYSON, 
DAVIS  GREGORY, 
HOWARD  A.  TINKHAM, 

GEORGE  H.  TALBOT, 
JACOB  A.  LEONARD, 
Mrs.  a.  H.  SWEET, 

Rev.  JAMES  P.  LANE, 
ARTHUR  M.  ROUND,  M.  D. 
Mrs.  E.  T.  WETHERELL, 


>    Term  expires  1890. 


Ten  1 1  ex  pi  res  1889. 


Term  expires  1888. 


Rev.  JAMES  P.  LANE,  President. 

DAVIS  GREGORY,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 

ARTHUR  M.  ROUND,  M.  I).,  Secretary. 


Dedication  committees. 


ONGENEBAL  ARRANGEMENT: 

AUSTIN  MESSINGER,  |  SAMUEL  A.  CHAPIN, 

GEORGE  H.  TALBOT. 


ON  DECORA  TION: 

Mris.  G.  H.  TALBOT,  |  Mrs.  R.  P.  HODGES, 

Mrs.  G.  a.  NOYES. 


ON  COLLATION: 

Mrs.  E.  T.  WETHERELL,   |  Mrs.  A.  H.  SWEET, 

JACOB  A.  LEONARD. 


An  exjvft  copy  of  the  programme  is  given  on  the  following 
four  pages. 


N0R7eH  PUBUG  MBR^RY. 


j^Feser)fea  ■  to  •  i^  •  H^awrj  •  cr-f^cpfoi 


BY  MRS.  ELIZA  B.  WHEATON 


I^e€l®^t@€  F^^S^^^J  K)  U^%^, 


rtr  :o!  jj^ertises. 


Introductory,  .  Sam'l  A.  Chapin,  President  of  tlie  Day 


Music  : — Anthem. 


Reading  of  Scriptures, Rev.  Jacob  Ide. 


Prayer, Rev.  C.  F.  Nichoi>sok. 


Address,         .        .        .        .        .        .        .  S.  C.  Earlk,  Architect. 


Presentation  of  the  Building  to  the  Town. 


Response  by  Mr.  Mbssinger,  Chairman  of  Board  of  Selectmen. 


Presentation  of  Kpiys  to  Board  of  Directors; 


Response  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Lane,  President  of  Board. 


Music  : — Anthem. 


PoKM, Miss  Lucy  Larcom. 


Address  (])y  letter),    ....     His  Excellency  Gov.  Ames. 


Dedicatory  Address,      .        .        .       William  A.  Mow  ry,  Ph.  I). 


Music  : — "America." 


Benediction, Rev.  J.  P.  Lane. 


THE  LIBRARY  WILL  BE  OPEN  TO  THE  PUBLIC  FROM 


10  TO  10.45  A.  M.,  AND  AGAIN  AFTER  THE  COLLATION. 


AUSTIN  MESSIN(tER, 

S.  A.  CHAPIN,  [  Connnittee. 

GEO.  H.  TALBOT, 


INTRODUCTORY. 


The  day  chosen  for  the  dedication  proved  to  be 
the  brightest  and  best  of  the  season,  with  clear  skies 
and  air  mild,  genial,  exhilarating.  The  people  of 
the  town  were  present  in  large  numbers,  with  many 
friends  from  abroad  and  specially  invited  guests. 
The  arrangements  of  the  several  committees  had  been 
well  matured  and,  with  the  hearty  cooperation  of  the 
people  and  willing  labor  of  many  hands,  were  carried 
out  with  complete  success.  The  library  building, 
with  books  neatly  arranged  on  the  shelves  and  all  its 
tasteful  appointments  opened  to  inspection,  elicited 
highest  admiration  from  the  masses  who  thronged  the 
rooms.  The  Unitarian  church,  where  the  exercises 
were  held,  was  finely  decorated  with  festoons  of  green, 
the  date  appearing  on  the  wall  behind  the  pulpit, 
which  was  draped  with  climbing  plants,  and  the  front 
of  the  platform  covered  with  vases  of  beautiful  flow- 
ers, all  arranged  in  excellent  taste.  The  music  by 
the  double  quartette  choir  from  Mansfield  was  finely 


10 

executed.  The  introductory  addresses  of  General 
Chapin,  president  of  the  day,  the  poem  by  Miss 
Lucy  Larcom,  the  dedicatory  address  by  Dr.  William 
A.  Mowry,  and  all  the  other  exercises  charmed  and 
thrilled  the  audience,  which  compactly  filled  the 
house.  The  town  hall,  where  the  collation  was 
served,  to  which  all  were  invited  and  welcomed,  with 
long  tables  completely  covering  floor  and  platform, 
laden  with  a  bountiful  provision  and  tasteful  floral 
decoration,  and  with  a  galaxy  of  Norton's  fair  daugh- 
ters in  waiting,  presented  an  attraction  that  could  not 
be  surpassed.  And  the  after-dinner  flow  of  wit  and 
sense  sparkled  with  glowing  utterance,  befitting  the 
occasion.  Everywhere  and  all  through  the  day  faces 
were  radiant  with  joy  and  gratitude  to  the  modest, 
but  noble  woman  who  sat  among  them  happiest  of  all, 
whose  princely  benefaction  touched  all  hearts  and  in- 
spired a  precious  memory  that  will  never  fade  away. 
It  was  indeed  a  red-letter  day  for  Norton.  The 
following  pages  give  a  full  report  of  all  the  exercises 
of  this  memorable  occasion. 


THE  DEDICATION. 


Promptly  at  the  hour  appointed,  after  an  organ 
voluntary,  Gen.  Samuel  A.  Chapin,  President  of  the 
Day,  addressed  the  assembly  as  follows. 

THE  INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 

Our  gathering  this  morning  is  somewhat  similar  to 
that  of  others  which  have  occurred  before  in  this  same 
locality,  regarding  objects  of  intense  interest.  His- 
tory will  repeat  itself,  rough-hew  it  as  we  may. 

One  hundred  and  seventy-eight  years  ago,  our 
grand  old  Pilgrim  Fathers  and  Mothers,  who  had 
settled  in  these  wild  forests  of  Norton,  within  the 
teiTitorial  domain  of  King  Philip,  came  in  from  every 
diverging  trail  and  bridle  path,  from  among  the  stal- 
wart oaks  (emblems  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  who  felled 
them)  which  afterward  furnished  timber  for  the  build- 
ins:  of  the  frigate  Constitution  and  a  score  of  other 
ships.  They  came  with  their  children — leading  some 
and  carrying  other  little  ones  in  their  arms — all  for 


12 

the  purpose  of  installing  their  first  minister,  the  Rev- 
Joseph  Avery,  and  for  dedicating  their  first  meeting 
house,  which  stood  on  the  common  in  front  of  this 
church  where  we  are  now  assembled.  That  was  the 
first  dedication  in  this  town.  The  first  parsonage  yet 
remains  to  greet  our  sight,  somewhat  modified  and 
improved,  on  that  beautiful  rise  of  ground  next  to  the 
residence  of  the  late  Mrs.  Garfield. 

There  was  great  jubilation  when  the  pastor  brought 
home  a  young  and  beautiful  bride.  Miss  Sarah  New- 
man of  Rehoboth,  to  share  his  joys  and  his  labors. 
In  January,  1710,  fifty-two  good  and  loyal  citizens 
of  "y*^  town  of  Norton,"  ancestors  of  your  Leonards, 
Hodges,  Cas wells.  Lanes,  Lincolns,  Williams,  Weth- 
erells,  Woods,  and  some  forty  others,  each  contrib- 
uted of  his  landed  possessions  to  make  up  73  3-4  acres 
for  their  first  minister.  The  land  thus  set  apart  for 
sacred  purposes  embraced  all  of  the  Capt.  Dauphin 
King  farm,  now  the  Mrs.  Garfield  estate,  also  the 
land  where  this  church  stands  and  much  more  around 
it,  and  also  a  portion  of  the  Rev.  Pitt  Clark  farm. 

Thus  you  will  observe  that  the  common  school 
house,  this  Unitarian  church,  and  the  old  parsonage 
are  all  on  these  sacred  })remises,  and  if  that  doesn't 
establish  a  good  preemption  right  then  I  beg  you  to 
tell  me  what  does.  Now  we,  descendants  of  those 
grand  old  stalwarts,  will  .also  rejoice  to-day  to  add 
another  bulwark  to  the  church  and  the  school  house 
— a  j)ublic  library — all  of  which  are  necessary  to  con- 


13 

stitute  the  great  moral  and  intellectual  spinal  column 
of  a  good  and  loyal  heir  of  that  old  stock. 

Some  good  angels  have  moved  the  heart  of  a  good 
woman,  long  a  resident  of  your  town,  to  bestow  this 
generous  gift  of  a  free  public  library,  the  walls  of 
which  have  risen  massive  and  beautiful,  for  your  sons 
and  your  daughters  to  come  within  for  ages  hence, 
seeking  knowledge  and  wisdom  from  the  treasures  of 
such  a  library.  Therefore  we  are  here  on  this  bright 
and  beautiful  morning  to  consummate  and  celebrate 
this  achievement,  right  upon  this  old,  venerated  and 
consecrated  spot  of  our  Pilgrim  Fathers. 

And  we  will  gladly  invite  your  attention  first  to  an 
anthem,  "To  Thee,  O  Country,"  which  will  be  ren- 
dered by  the  double  quartette  of  Mansfield. 

The  double  quartette,  composed  of  Mrs.  Hallett 
and  Mrs.  Bailey,  sopranos,  Mrs.  Williams  and  Miss 
Hodges,  altos,  W.  B.  Rogerson  and  F.  L.  Cady, 
tenors,  C.  N.  Crane  and  G.  A.  George,  bassos,  then 
rendered  this  fine  anthem  of  Eichberg's  with  inspirit- 
ing effect.  After  the  anthem,  selections  of  Scripture 
were  read  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Ide  of  Mansfield,  and 
prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Nicholson, 
pastor  of  the  church. 

The  president  then  remarked  that  he  would  "intro- 
duce a  gentleman  whose  magical  hand  had  only  to  be 
stretched  over  any  town  or  city  and  either  a  public 
library  or  a  church  is  sure  to  arise.     His  magic  skill 


14 

is  now  being  exercised  on  the  Clark  University  of 
Worcester  and  the  Pilgrim  Church  of  the  same  city, 
the  Goodnow  Library  of  Princeton,  the  Damon  Li- 
brary of  Holden,  and  many  others.  Allow  me  to 
introduce  Mr.  Stephen  C.  Earle  of  Worcester,  the 
architect  of  this  library  building." 

THE  ADDRESS  OF  MR.  EARLE. 

Norton  is  not  one  of  the  hill  towns  so  often  spoken 
of,  whose  beacon  lights  could  flash  a  signal  from 
height  to  height  over  a  whole  county,  but  she  never- 
theless is  as  a  "city  set  on  a  hill  which  cannot  be 
hid";  for  from  here  goes  out  an  influence,  far  and 
wide,  with  those  daughters,  who,  in  a  ceasless  pro- 
cession sojourn  here  for  a  few  brief  years  and  then 
2:0  to  shed  the  influence  of  its  Christian  culture,  each 
in  the  circle  where  her  lot  in  life  may  fall.  Educa- 
tion has  always  gone  hand  in  hand  with  New  Eng- 
land civilization, — is,  indeed,  the  vanguard  of  that 
civilization,  and  this  little  town  stands  prominently, 
as  a  representative  of  this  New  England  idea, — yes, 
even  as  a  very  fortress,  for  here  are  leagued  together 
against  ignorance  and  vice,  those  mighty  powers,  the 
church,  the  school,  the  library  and  the  home. 

From  the  geography  and  the  air  of  this  village,  ] 
am  often  led  to  imagine  it  as  a  vast  cathedral — cruci- 
form in  plan  after  the  accepted  model ,  its  long  drawn 
nave  vaulted  in  Nature's  own  handiwork,  the  church 
at  one  end,  the  school  and  home  at  the  transejjts. 


15 

and  now,  with  the  library  at  the  remaining  end,  com- 
pleting the  fabric.  But  fancies  aside,  let  me  address 
myself  to  the  matter  in  hand,  a  description  of  the 
building  which  your  honored  benefactor,  Mrs.  Eliza 
B.  Wheaton,  to-day  adds  to  the  long  list  of  her  good 
gifts. 

The  building  occupies  the  most  commanding  site 
in  the  village,  standing  as  it  does  at  the  head  of  the 
main  street  and  the  common,  facing  the  rising  sun, 
and  looking  down  the  long  vista  through  the  trees. 
It  is  no  magnificent  example  of  architecture,  being 
modest  in  style  and  dimensions,  but  is  built  of  the 
best  materials,  in  the  most  thorough  manner.  The 
walls  are  of  brick  and  Longmeadow  brown  stone, 
starting  from  a  base  of  rock-face  rose-tinted  Milford 
granite,  and  the  steep  gabled  roof  is  covered  with  the 
best  Maine  slate.  Handsome  posts  and  curbing  of 
granite  similar  to  that  of  the  base  of  the  building, 
make  the  finish  at  the  front  line  of  the  premises,  and 
a  substantial  iron  railing  on  granite  posts  is  carried 
around  the  other  three  sides  of  the  lot.  Passing  un- 
der the  arching  elms,  up  the  broad  bluestone  flag 
walk,  we  enter  the  building  by  an  open  porch  of 
Romanesque  design,  through  a  stone  archway  with 
its  clustered  twin  columns,  and  richly  carved  caps, 
and  its  two  guardian  owls,  looking  as  wise  as  stone 
owls  can  look.  The  floor  of  this  porch  is  of  blue- 
stone,  the  w^alls  and  arched  ceiling  of  brick.  By  the 
main  entrance  which  has  a  double  door  of  oak,  we 


16 

enter  the  vestibule,  which  is  6x8  feet,  with  tiled 
floor,  brick  walls,  marble  base  and  paneled  wood 
ceiling.  A  wide  double  door  directly  opposite  the 
main  entrance  gives  access  to  the  library,  and  a  door 
at  the  left,  to  the  reading  room.  The  fourth  side  has 
a  little  window  of  stained  glass,  rich  in  effect  of  col- 
or, though  of  a  simple  design,  and  the  transom  lights 
of  the  several  doors,  have  all  more  or  less  of  color. 
The  library  is  a  fine  room  24x34,  and  is  18  feet  high, 
with  a  dado  of  pressed  brick  and  terra  cotta,  with 
brick  finish  around  the  doors  and  windows,  and  a 
string  course  and  corbels  of  terra  cotta,  high  up  on 
the  walls.  The  remaining  wall  surface  is  plastered 
directly  on  to  the  hollow  brick-work,  no  furring  be- 
ing used  on  the  walls  here  or  elsewhere  in  the  build- 
ing, and  the  plastering  is  painted  in  tints  to  harmon- 
ize with  the  brick  and  terracotta  which  give  the  key- 
note of  color.  The  ceiling  is  sheathed  with  white- 
wood,  and  has  beam  finish  of  oak.  The  room  is 
well  lighted  by  windows  on  the  East,  North  and 
West  sides,  extending  the  full  height  of  the  walls, 
with  transoms  separating  the  upper  and  lower  por- 
tions. The  oaken  book-cases  are  at  present  disposed 
along  the  walls,  but  the  plan  has  been  arranged  with 
the  expectation  that  as  the  books  increase  in  number, 
alcoves  will  be  made ;  still  further  shelving  may  be 
had  by  means  of  a  gallery  and  a  second  tier  of  al- 
coves, and  the  ample  land  at  the  rear  of  the  l)uilding, 
suggests    enlargement    in    the   future    by   means  of 


17 

wings,  when  more  room  still  shall  be  required  for 
books.  A  librarian's  desk  of  oak,  with  plate  glass 
screen  above  it,  is  arranged  for  convenience  of  deliv- 
ery and  exchange  of  books,  and  there  is  a  large  ol)- 
long  table  for  general  uses  inside  the  library.  The 
corner  devoted  to  the  public  in  waiting,  is  furnished 
with  a  solid  oak  settee.  From  this  public  corner  of 
the  library,  a  door  leads  to  the  reading  room,  which 
is  about  15x20  feet,  and  occupies  the  Southeast 
corner  of  the  building.  This  is  a  pleasant  and  cosy 
room  finished  and  furnished  in  quartered  oak,  includ- 
ing the  floor  and  the  paneled  wainscot.  A  large 
table  for  periodicals  occupies  the  middle  of  the  room, 
a  case  for  books  of  reference  and  a  rack  for  hats, 
stands  upon  one  side,  a  terra  cotta  fireplace  with  its 
proper  furnishings  is  upon  another,  and  windows  on 
the  other  two  sides  admit  the  sunshine  from  the  East 
and  South.  A  little  stained  glass  in  the  transom 
lights  gives  a  tinge  of  bright  color,  and  the  walls  and 
ceiling  are  treated  in  soft  harmonious  tints.  At  the 
Southwest  corner  of  the  building  is  a  librarian's  room 
11x14  feet,  connecting  directly  with  the  library,  and 
separated  from  the  reading  room  by  stairs  leading  to 
the  basement  and  to  the  unfinished  attic,  and  having 
the  same  general  style  of  finish  as  the  reading  room. 
In  this  room  is  also  a  fire-proof  vault.  A  high  airy 
basement  is  devoted  to  the  storage  of  fuel  and  the 
Magee  furnace.  The  building  is  abundantly  lighted 
by  means  of  gas  fi'om  a  Springfield  gas  machine. 


18 

Mead,  Mason  &  Co.,  of  BoKston,  were  the  contract- 
ors for  the  l)uilding.  The  granite  work  was  fur- 
nished by  T.  N.  Sherman,  of  Milford.  The  stone 
carving  was  executed  by  T.  Dunn,  the  slating  by 
the  West  End  Roofing  Co.,  the  terra  cotta  was  fur- 
nished by  H.  A.  Lewis,  the  tiling  was  furnished 
and  laid  by  the  Boston  Brass  and  Tile  Co.,  the 
stained  glass  was  furnished  by  Redding,  Baird  &  Co., 
the  decorative  painting  was  done  by  Butler  &  Sten- 
berg,  the  gas  fixtures  were  furnished  by  E.  H. 
Tarbell,  and  the  vault  doors  by  the  Damon  Safe  and 
Lock  Co.,  all  of  Boston.  Charles  Haggerty,  of  Nor- 
ton, did  the  painting  and  hardwood  finishing,  and 
Frederick  Jefts,  of  Worcester,  made  most  of  the  fur- 
nrture,  the  chairs,  etc.,  being  from  Paine's,  and  the 
roller  top  desk  from  the  Derby  Company,  of  Boston. 
The  splendid  gift  of  l)ooks  by  the  same  generous  do- 
nor who  provided  the  housing,  is  the  crowning  item, 
and  this  has  also  been  handsomely  supplemented  by 
gifts  of  the  same  kind  from  others. 

May  the  blessings  attend  this  enterprise  that  we  all 
expect,  and  may  a  kind  Providence  long  spare  to  us 
the  noble  benefactor,  whose  life  is  devoted  to  the 
good  of  her  race,  and  whose  very  })resence  is  a  bene- 
diction. 


H 

O 


19 


PRESENTATION  OF  THE  BUILDING 
TO  THE  TOWN. 

President  of  the  Day,  General  Chapin,  remarked 
that  it  afforded  him  great  pleasure,  in  liehalf  of  the 
donor,  Mrs.  Wheaton,  to  present  to  the  town  of  Nor- 
ton her  deed  of  gift  and  a  brief  statement  from  her 
which  he  would  then  read. 

Mrs.  Wheaton's  Lettek. 

Being  desirous  of  giving  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Nor- 
ton increased  facilities  for  reading  and  general  intellectual 
culture,  I  have  caused  to  be  erected  the  building  now 
opened  for  inspection  and  occupancy. 

My  object  in  its  erection  was  to  furnish  a  place  for  the 
Library  Association  which  was  incorporated  April  7th, 
1886,  for  the  circulation  of  books,  and  for  a  reading  room 
for  the  citizens  of  the  town,  which  should  be  open  as  often 
as  deemed  advisable ;  but  the  building  and  the  lot  on 
which  it  stands,  with  the  fixtures  and  furniture  therein,  I 
desire  should  belong  to  the  town  of  Norton,  with  the  con- 
dition that  the  town  shall  always  be  represented  by  three 
selectmen  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  "Norton  Public 
Library,"  and  I  do  now  present  to  the  town  a  deed  of  the 
property,  with  policies  of  insurance,  hoping  they  will  feel 
inclined  to  accept  it  at  their  annual  town  meeting,  and 
adopt  it  as  a  charge  they  will  gladly  cherish. 

Eliza  B.  Wheaton. 

Norton,  Feb.  1,  1888. 

The  president,  then  resumed :  In  presenting  this 
deed  of  the  library  building  to  the  town,  I  desire  to 


20 

call  attention  to  the  location  which  was  secured  for 
its  erection.  "The  choicest  spot  in  all  the  town," 
has  been  the  expression  of  every  one. 

Neither  Mrs.  Wheaton  nor  myself  would  wish  this 
occasion  to  pass  without  expressing  gratitude  for  the 
cheerful  cooperation  of  Mr.  George  H.  Talbot,  and 
the  late  Mrs.  Gaiiield  and  her  son  and  her  son-in-law, 
Mr.  Edward  P.  Denison  of  Providence.  Without 
such  cooperation,  we  could  not  have  secured  that 
choice  lot.  It  is  very  gratifying  to  note  the  fact  that 
out  of  the  amount  of  money  paid  to  Mr.  Talbot,  for 
that  old  homestead  known  as  the  "Bonney-Storer 
cottage,"  $250  was  at  once  given  by  him  to  the  library 
for  the  purchase  of  books. 

You  have  already  had  a  full  description  by  Mr. 
Earle,  the  architect,  of  this  building  and  its  purposes. 
It  has  been  the  intention  of  the  donor  from  the  first 
to  have  every  portion  massive  and  enduring,  and  we 
trust  that  the  completed  edifice  will  itself  bear  testi- 
mony to  the  skill  of  the  architect  and  to  the  fidelity 
with  which  the  contractors,  Messrs.  Mead,  Mason 
&  Co.,  have  executed  the  work. 

The  granite  curbing  and  large  granite  posts  will 
certainly  speak  well  for  the  excellence  of  the  work 
done  by  Mr.  T.  N.  Sherman  of  Milford. 

Is  it  too  much  to  believe  that  our  sons  and  our 
daughters  and  their  descendants  may  gather  here  for 
hundreds  of  years  to  come,  seeking  treasures  of 
knowledge  more  })recious  and  enduring  than  treasures 


21 

of  gold  and  silver.  These  golden  treasures  may  soon 
become  exhausted  and  disappear.  Such  has  been  my 
observation  in  California, — the  richest  bonanzas  are 
soon  depleted  and  worthless.  Thank  God  that  such 
is  not  the  case  with  knowledge  gained  in  a  well  stored 
library  which  reaches  on  and  on  into  the  unnumbered 
years. 

That  young  man  who  has  free  access  to  a  library 
has  an  ambitious  point  to  gain  daily,  so  that  he  may 
well  make  this  his  motto:  "The  goal  of  yesterday 
shall  be  the  starting  point  of  to-day."  It  was  this 
spirit  and  perseverance  that  took  Henry  Wilson  from 
the  shoemaker's  bench  in  Natick  and  made  him  a 
royal  man,  and  put  him  in  Congi*ess,  and  made  him 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States.  This  same  hun- 
gering for  knowledge  took  the  unlettered  Andrew 
Johnson  from  the  tailor's  bench  and  made  him  a  gov- 
ernor and  then  President  of  the  United  States. 

Let  us  remember  also  what  books  did  for  that  un- 
gainly and  homely  Abraham  Lincoln.  Devouring 
book  after  book  by  torchlight  and  candle-light  till  he 
was  well  equipped  with  knowledge  and  wisdom  to 
cut  his  way  among  men,  he  left  his  axe  and  the  plow 
to  become  a  surveyor,  then  a  captain  in  the  Black 
Hawk  War,  then  a  lawyer  and  a  member  of  the  Leg- 
islature, then  a  member  of  Congress  and  President 
of  the  United  States.  Such  is  the  power  of  knowl- 
edge stored  away  in  this  good  library,  open  and  free 
for  every  one  who  will  come  and  partake. 


22 

To  you,  Mr.  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen, 
I  most  gladly  commit  this  deed  of  gift  with  the  other 
documents. 

RESPONSE  OF  HON.  AUSTIN  MESSINGER. 

In  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen  and  of  the 
town,  who  will  ratify  this  act,  I  accept  this  generous 
gift.  I  voice  the  feelings  of  all  its  citizens  when  I 
express  my  gratitude.  The  town  is  certainly  fortu- 
nate to  number  such  a  woman  among  its  people. 
She  has  richly  endowed  a  seminary,  built  a  church, 
and  now  gives  the  town  this  token  of  her  beneficence 
which  will  be  appreciated  more,  if  possible,  than  any 
other.  It  is  not  so  much  in  the  building  that  her 
memory  will  be  cherished,  but  it  will  live  in  the 
hearts  of  a  grateful  posterity.  And  now  that  she, 
like  myself,  is  in  the  sere  and  yellow  leaf,  I  would 
wish  that  her  last  days  may  be  full  of  peace  and  joy, 
and  when  the  summons  comes,  she  may  go 

"Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

PRESENTATION  OF  KEYS  TO  THE 
BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS. 

President  Chapin  now  read 

Mrs.  Wheaton's  Letter. 
The  Directors  of  the  Norton  Public  Library  will  now 
accept  the  keys  of  the  Library  Building,  together  with  a 


23 

policy  of  insurance  on  the  books,  with  my  very  best  wish- 
es for  their  success. 

I  am  deeply  sensible  of  the  long  continued  service 
which  they,  and  others  associated  with  them,  have  ren- 
dered in  sustaining  a  Magazine  Club  and  Reading  Room, 
without  compensation,  except  a  trifling  sum  to  one  or  two 
persons,  and  I  have  some  conception  of  the  unceasing 
care  and  labor  involved  in  keeping  a  Free  Public  Libra- 
»ry  in  a  prosperous  condition.  For  this  labor  they  have 
my  heartfelt  thanks. 

Eliza  B.  Wheaton. 

Norton,  Feb.  1,  1888. 

Remarks  of  Mr.  Chapin. 

To  you,  Mr.  President  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
I  have  the  pleasure  of  bearing  these  keys  from  the 
hands  of  Mrs.  Wheaton.  They  will  unlock  the  ar- 
mory  of  intellectual  power. 

I  am  sure,  sir,  that  you  will  always  cheerfully  turn 
these  keys  for  every  one  who  desires  to  put  on  that 
armor  which  shall  betoken  noble  manhood  and 
womanhood  everywhere. 

RESPONSE  OF  REV.  J.  P.  LANE. 

Mr.  President :  In  receiving  these  keys  in  the  name 
of  the  Directors  of  the  Norton  Public  Library,  I 
would  express  heartiest  appreciation  and  gratitude 
for  the  noble  gift  to  the  town  by  Mrs.  Wheaton,  whom 
you  represent.  But  words  are  poor  and  cannot  ex- 
press that  which  we  feel,  not  only  as  we  look  on 


24 

yonder  building  and  the  grounds  enclosing  it,  admire 
its  strength  and  beauty,  its  fine  proportions  and  adap- 
tation to  the  purpose  for  which  it  has  been  erected, 
and  the  unstinted  means  provided  to  secure  the  i)er- 
fection  of  taste  and  art  in  every  part,  but  especially 
as  we  grasp  the  thought  of  the  sublime  ideal  which 
this  massive  and  beautiful  edifice  with  its  tasteful 
grounds  and  enclosure  embodies,  the  benefit,  the 
educational  power,  the  pleasure  and  the  inspiration 
to  noblest  things  that  may  be  for  every  child  of  Nor- 
ton,— and  more  and  more  as  in  its  wealth  of  literary 
treasure  the  public  library  shall  grow  and  become 
more  and  more  worthy  of  the  place  it  occupies.  As 
we  think  of  the  rich  opportunity  for  culture  and  re- 
finement, for  education  and  power  of  influence,  free 
to  all  the  people,  and  with  radiant  hope  see  the  pres- 
ent and  future  generations  coming  forward  to  embrace 
it,  we  find  ourselves  unable  to  express  our  sense  of 
the  value  of  this  princely  gift  and  the  measure  of  our 
gratitude  for  it.  AVe  can  only  say  that  we  do  appre- 
ciate the  gift  and  are  grateful  beyond  expression  for 
it.  And  in  saying  this  I  speak  not  for  the  Board  of 
Directors  alone,  but  for  the  people  of  Norton,  whose 
servants  we  are. 

The  beffinnin":  of  our  work  to  establish  the  Norton 
Public  Library  was  without  ostentation,  a  simple  seed- 
planting  from  which  we  hoped  and  believed  would 
come  the  growth  of  a  noble  tree  with  luscious  fruit. 
With  motives  of  the  purest  and  highest  that  ever  in- 


25 

:5pire  the  human  heart,  an  outlook  for  a  future  good 
to  all  the  people  of  Norton,  irrespective  of  any  sec- 
tional, sectarian  or  partisan  interest,  was  this  seed 
planted.  A  few  volumes  on  the  shelves  of  the  "Nor- 
ton Magazine  Club,"  a  room  that  was  free  of  rent  by 
permission  of  the  town  authorities,  and  for  three 
years  had  been  maintained  as  a  public  reading-room, 
free  to  all,  a  desire  to  fulfill  the  long  cherished  and 
noble  thought  of  one  of  our  number  of  blessed  mem- 
ory who  had  gone  to  her  heavenly  rest,  with  a  self- 
denying  interest  and  wish  for  the  welfare  of  the  town 
prompting  our  own  personal  contributions,  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  and  Librarian  of  the  Norton  Mag- 
azine Club,  in  the  exercise  of  a  sacred  ti*ust  which 
they  could  not  let  go  or  slip  away  fi'om  them,  ob- 
tained a  State  charter,  and  organized  the  nucleus  of 
the  Norton  Public  Library. 

The  State  charter  was  issued  the  7th  of  April, 
1886.  The  books  that  we  had  on  our  shelves,  with 
others  given  and  purchased  by  cash  contributions, 
were  labelled,  arranged,  and  numbered,  a  prospectus 
and  list  of  these  books,  which  fonned  the  nucleus  of 
our  unde;i;aking,  was  printed  and  distributed,  and  all 
opened  free  to  the  public  the  1st  of  July  following. 
Only  three  days  after,  as  I  sat  in  my  study  on  a  Sat- 
urday evening  collecting  thoughts  for  the  duty  of  the 
coming  Sabbath,  a  messenger  came  to  my  door  with 
a  note  that  I  read  with  a  thrill  of  joy  never  to  be  for- 
<?otten.     It  was  as  follows  : 


2b* 

Norton,  Mass.,  July  3,  1886. 
Dear  Mr.  Lane : — It  is  but  a  brief  reply  to  yours  of 
June  7,  in  reference  to  the  Free  Public  Library  that  I 
can  now  give — but  be  assured  the  organization  has  my 
hearty  interest.  I  herewith  enclose  check  to  our  treas- 
urer, Davis  Gregory,  for  $100.  This  will  help  pay  ex- 
penses, and  perhaps  buy  some  books,  but  my  chief  object 
will  be  first  to  have  a  suitable  building  to  put  books  in, 
and  then  have  suitable  books.  I  have  decided  to  do 
something  in  regard  to  a  building,  and  friends  to  the  ob- 
ject can  then  have  a  safe  and  respectable  deposit  for 
books  they  wish  to  give. 

Sincerel}'  Yours, 

E.   B.   Wh EATON. 

This  was  communicated  to  the  Board  of  Directors 
on  Monday  evening,  at  a  special  meeting  called  for 
this  pm"pose.  It  was  received  with  heartiest  pleas- 
ure and  thanks,  and  that  we  then  felt  more  than  we 
could  express  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  one  of  the 
directors  soon  after  supplemented  Mrs.  Wheaton's 
$100  with  another  $100,  his  own  cash  gift,  that 
another  director  added  his  personal  gift  of  $250,  that 
other  directors,  who  had  not  the  means  to  give  so 
largely,  did  what  they  could,  giving  money  and  also 
choice  treasures  of  books  from  their  own  private  li- 
braries. Other  friends  to  the  object  also  came  for- 
ward with  cash  gifts,  and  gifts  of  books.  Yet  we  all 
felt  that  the  expression  of  Mrs.  AVheaton  "to  have  a 
suitable  building  to  put  books  in,  and  then  have  suit- 
able books"  was  wise.     We  did  not  wish  to  use  the 


27 

funds  so  freely  given  prematurely,  and,  in  our  judg- 
ment, did  not.  But  the  popular  interest  already 
manifesting  itself  was  so  great  that  we  could  not  do 
otherwise  than  to  meet  the  want  of  fresh  reading  mat- 
ter by  some  constant  additions  to  the  library.  The 
well-selected  books  of  the  "Rhetorical  Library  Asso- 
ciation' '  of  a  former  day  were  almost  immediately  of- 
fered as  a  contribution  to  the  Norton  Public  Library, 
and  thankfully  received.  New  books,  as  called  for, 
were  purchased,  other  books  were  given,  and  thus 
the  library  grew,  eight  supplements  to  the  original 
list  of  l)ooks  being  issued,  until  there  was  absolutely 
no  more  shelf-room  in  the  apartment  occupied  at  the 
Town  Hall,  and  a  goodly  number  of*  volumes  were 
piled  upon  the  floor.  That  the  library  was  meeting 
a  felt  want,  and  was  reaching  by  its  influence  a  large 
number  of  the  homes  in  Norton,  is  beyond  question. 

A  few  days  after  that  note  of  July  3,  1886,  Mrs. 
Wheaton  secured  the  finest  site  in  the  village  for  her 
purpose,  and  soon  matured  plans  for  one  of  the  finest 
public  library  buildings  in  the  state.  The  execution 
of  the  purpose  then  so  briefly  stated  has  been  with  a 
bountiful  liberality  and  perfection  of  taste  and  art 
surpassing  our  brightest  anticipations. 

A  few  weeks  since,  anticipating  occupancy  of  this 
building,  the  books  of  the  library  were  all  called  in, 
those  which  by  use  had  come  to 'need  rebinding, 
were  re-bound,  and  provision  made  for  the  purchase 
of  new  books  suflScient  to  nearly  double  the  number. 


28 

These  were  very  carefully  selected  to  secure  the 
choicest  works  in  various  departments,  and  the  pur- 
chase was  made. 

The  work  of  re-labelling  all  the  old  and  labelling 
the  new  with  revised  and  improved  regulations,  of 
covering  all  with  strong  manilla  pa})er  covers,  of 
writing  the  titles  on  the  backs  of  all,  of  arranging  on 
the  shelves  and  numbering,  has  been  vigorously 
prosecuted,  and  this  hard  Avork  of  many  days,  freely 
given,  deserves  mention  as  no  small  contribution  to 
the  value  of  the  library.  A  catalogue,  full  and  com- 
plete, embracing  all  previous  issues  and  the  more 
recent  additions,  has  also  been  for  several  months  in 
preparation.  In  this  catalogue  all  the  books  are  ar- 
ranged by  their  titles  and  authors  and  also  by  their 
authors  and  titles  in  alphabetical  order,  except  that 
under  an  author's  name  when  books  form  a  connected 
series  their  titles  are  given  in  the  order  of  their  con- 
nection. Books  published  anonymously,  whose  au- 
thors are  not  known,  appear  only  l)y  their  titles. 
Under  an  author's  name  appear  all  the  works  of  that 
author  which  are  in  the  library.  Real  names  of 
authors,  when  known,  are  given  in  preference  to 
pseudonyms,  but  pseudonyms  which  are  commonly 
identified  with  their  works  are  also  given  in  paren- 
theses following  the  real  name,  and  they  also  have 
their  place  in  the  alphabetical  order  of  authors'  names, 
with  a  reference  to  the  real  name.  The  books  are 
also  classified  in  sixteen  general  classes,  which  are 


29 

named  at  the  beginning  of  the  catalogue  and  num- 
bered from  1  to  16.  It  has  been  thought  best  not  to 
make  any  more  minute  classification,  as  in  the  "Dui 
System,"  but  only  to  name  these  general  classes, 
which  will  be  readily  recognized  and  useful  in  guid- 
ing a  choice  for  reading.  Each  book  in  the  library, 
according  to  its  general  character,  has  its  class-num- 
l)er.  By  running  the  eye  down  the  columns  of  these 
c^o^.s-numbers  it  can  be  readily  seen  what  books  there 
are  belonging  to  any  particular  class.  Each  book 
has  also  its  Iibrar)/-innnher  by  which  it  is  called  for 
and  charged  to  the  borrower.  The  catalogue  also 
separates  the  library  into  two  departments,  circulat- 
ina:  and  reference.  The  first  includes  the  books  that 
may  be  taken  home  for  reading.  The  second  includes 
pamphlets,  unbound  volumes,  cycloptedias,  dictiona- 
ries, atlases,  etc.,  and  works  of  rare  value  in  Art, 
Science,  and  Literature,  which  can  only  be  consulted 
in  the  building.  The  arduous  work  of  compiling  this 
catalogue,  which  only  those  familiar  with  such  work 
can  appreciate  as  to  its  magnitude,  has  also  been 
cheerfully  given  without  charge  for  the  benefit  of  the 
library,  and  we  trust  will  appear  to  greatly  enhance 
its  value  to  the  people. 

It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  directors  from  the 
beginning  to  pay  all  expenses  as  we  go,  not  to  antic- 
ipate any  possible  income  of  the  future,  but  settle  all 
bills  and  have  a  balance  in  the  treasury  towards  meet- 
ing future  calls.     The  generous  free-will  gifts  of  the 


30 

friends  of  the  library  have  enabled  us  to  hold  to  this 
policy  without  any  variation.  To  meet  the  cost  of 
the  recent  large  addition  of  new  books  Mrs.  Wheaton, 
in  addition  to  her  princely  gift  of  the  building  and 
grounds  and  her  check  in  the  beginning,  passed  to 
our  treasurer  her  check  for  $1000.  A  number  of 
present  and  former  citizens  and  other  friends  have 
also  contributed  generous  amounts.  A  former  towns- 
man, Mr.  Edwin  Barrows  of  Providence,  in  addition 
to  a  liberal  cash  gift,  contributed  a  full  set  of  the 
Atlantic  Monthly^  43  volumes  well  bound,  and  sev- 
eral other  choice  volumes  from  his  private  library. 
The  well-selected  and  valuable  private  library  of  the 
late  Miss  Ellen  Rogerson,  including  Worcester's 
Quarto  Dictionary  and  over  40  additional  volumes  of 
excellent  character,  was  generously  given.  Over  a 
hundred  volumes,  some  of  which  are  of  exceptionally 
rare  value,  we  also  have  from  the  estates  of  Miss 
Melius  and  Miss  Carter  of  blessed  memory,  whose 
inspiring  thought  was  effective  in  the  origin  of  the 
public  library.  A  valuable  collection  of  books  and 
documents  has  also  been  received  from  our  hon- 
ored representative  in  Congress,  the  Hon.  Ex-Gov. 
John  D.  Long  of  Hingham.  Nor  would  we  forget 
to  mention  the  gifts  of  many  other  frienfls  too  numer- 
ous for  specification,  and  last  but  not  least  a  gift  of 
$30  from  four  teachers  of  Wheaton  Female  Seminary 
as  a  token  of  their  good  will  for  the  welfare  of  the 


31 

people  of  Norton  and  of  sympathy  with  their  friend, 
Mrs.  Wheaton. 

The  future  growth  of  the  library  to  be  more  and 
more  worthy  of  the  building  it  occupies,  and  of  con- 
stantly increasing  utility  to  the  people  of  the  town, 
will  require  a  continual  augmenting  of  funds,  which 
we  cannot  doubt  present  and  former  citizens  and 
friends  interested  in  her  welfare  will  generously  pro- 
vide. 

At  present  we  have  2125  bound  volumes,  beside 
over  200  pamphlets  and  unbound  volumes,  some  of 
which  are  of  rare  value,  for  the  catalogue  to  be  issued 
at  as  early  a  date  as  possible.  These  nearly  fill  the 
cases  now  provided  in  the  library  room,  but  ample 
space  is  here  for  additional  cases  as  needed,  as  con- 
templated by  the  architect  in  the  plan  of  the  building. 
The  reading-room  will  be  also  fully  supplied  with 
the  leading  and  most  useful  reviews,  magazines,  and 
periodicals,  pictorial  and  other  papers,  with  the 
larsre  dictionaries  of  Webster  and  Worcester  in  hold- 
ers  for  convenient  reference.  We  hope  to  have  all 
in  readiness  to  re-open  to  the  public  on  Monday  next, 
and  to  issue  the  catalogue  as  soon  after  as  possible. 

In  closing,  Mr.  President,  be  assured  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Norton  Public  Library,  in  the  future 
as  in  the  past,  will  endeavor  to  fulfill  the  sacred  trust 
placed  in  their  hands,  the  grand  opportunity  of  min- 
istering to  that  culture  and  refinement,  that  popular 
education  and  power  of  social  advancement  which  are 


32 

the  glory  of  our  New  England  civilization  and  the 
mightiest  force  to  preserve  and  to  perpetuate  the  re- 
public, the  government  by  and  for  the  people,  and 
to  bless  our  country,  the  best  of  all  lands  in  the 
world. 

And  may  she  whose  princely  benefaction  to-day 
places  us  all  under  a  glad  and  welcome  supreme  ob- 
ligation of  gratitude  and  love,  be  rewarded  with  the 
sweet  consciousness  that  in  this  she  has  done  a  work 
Avhose  beneficent  results  in  the  attainments  of  charac- 
ter and  of  life,  for  many  generations  after  those  of  us 
now  living  shall  have  passed  from  earth,  shall  be  a 
perpetual  memorial  of  her  life  and  name,  which  the 
people  of  Norton  can  never  cease  to  res})ect  and  ten- 
derly cherish. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Lane's  address  the  choir 
rendered  in  an  effective  manner,  "The  Festival 
Hymn." 

The  president  then  stated  that  "we  are  left  to  re- 
gret the  absence  of  Miss  Larcom,  but  then  she  has  a 
group  of  poetic  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  glad  to 
render  loyal  service  when  necessary."  Miss  Kate 
White  of  Wheaton  Seminary  was  then  introduced, 
and  read  Miss  Larcom's  poem  in  a  very  graceful  and 
impressive  manner. 


MISS  LARCOM'S  POEM. 


GOOD  BOOKS. 

[Written  for  the  opening  of  the  Norton  Public  Library.] 

As  a  sky  that  has  no  constellations  ; 

As  a  country  unwatered  by  brooks ; 
As  a  house  that  is  empty  of  kindred, 

Unillumined  by  loving  looks  ; 
So  dull  is  the  life  of  the  people 

Who  know  not  the  blessing  of  books. 

Good  books  are  the  best  of  companions ; 

They  help  us  to  see  with  the  eyes 
Of  tlie  great  ones  in  ages  historic ; 

Dead  saints  at  their  bidding  arise 
From  the  moss-mounded  graveyards,  to  teach  us 

That  the  truth  which  is  lived,  never  dies. 

Good  books  are  the  kindest  of  neighbors ; 

They  help  us  to  know  one  another ; 
They  show  how  the  words  "man"  and  "woman' ' 

Have  always  meant  "sister"  and  "brother" ; 
So  they  fan  to  life  feelings  fraternal 

That  the  dust  of  the  work-day  might  smother. 


34 

The  books  that  we  cherish  are  human  ; 

They  are  written  from  heart  unto  heart ; 
Now  they  move  us  to  singing  and  laughter ; 

Now  they  cause  the  warm  tear-drop  to  start ; 
We  feel,  as  we  read,  their  fresh  pages 

By  the  rose-breath  of  love  blown  apart. 

Good  books — they  are  life, — inspiration  ! 

A  spirit  within  stirs  their  leaves 
With  the  sigh  of  a  burden  prophetic. 

That  warns,  and  rejoices,  and  grieves ; 
And  the  ear  that  is  open  to  hear  it 

The  word  of  the  vision  receives. 

Good  books — who  can  measure  the  blessing — 

Tell  how  it  begins,  where  it  ends? 
How  they  interweave  Past,  Present,  Future, 

Until  Time  with  Eternity  blends  I 
They  are  more  than  companions  or  neighbors, — 

Good  books  are  the  truest  of  friends. 

Good  books — they  who  build  them  a  shelter, 

A  place  among  people  to  stay 
As  helpers  and  guides  and  inspirers, 

Our  best  benefactors  are  they  ; 
And  therefore  the  heart  of  this  village 

To  one  friend  is  grateful  to-day. 

Lucv  Lakcom. 
Feb.  1,  1888. 


LETTERS  OF  REGRET. 


Gen.  Chapiii  introduced  Mr.  Messinger,  who  said 
he  had  received  a  letter  from  His  Excellency  Gov. 
Ames,  in  answer  to  the  invitation  given  him  to  at- 
tend. He  had  not  expected  to  be  called  upon  to 
read  it,  and  would  much  prefer  to  let  the  young  lady 
do  it. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  ~\ 

Executive  Department,  > 

January  30,  1888.  ) 

Hon.  Austin  Messinger,  Norton,  Mass. 

My  Dear  Sir : — I  regret  exceedingly  that  my  engage- 
ments are  such  that  I  cannot  accept  the  courteous  invita- 
tion tendered  me  to  join  in  the  dedication  of  the  librar}' 
building,  at  Norton,  on  Wednesday  next,  in  person,  to 
pay  my  ti-ibute  of  respect  and  appreciation  to  the  gener- 
ous giver  for  this  latest  of  many  acts  of  public  spirit  and 
benevolence  on  her  part,  and  that  of  her  family,  which 
have  contributed  so  largely  to  the  prosperity  and  pleasure 
of  your  people  and  made  the  name  of  Wheaton  honored 
and  famous  far  beyond  the  limits  of  the  town.  I  congrat- 
ulate the  people  of  Norton  upon  the  addition  of  such  a 


36 

beautiful  and  useful  building,  but  I  congratulate  them 
more  upon  the  possession  of  the  generous  and  beneficent 
donor,  who  may,  I  trust,  long  be  spared  in  prosperity  and 
comfort  to  witness  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  her  benevo- 
lence. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Oliver  Ames. 

From  Dr.  Bronson. 

Attleboro,  January  30,  1888. 
Hon.  Austin  Messinger. 

My  Dear  Sir  : — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  invitation  to  at- 
tend the  dedicatory  exercises  in  Norton,  February  1,  next. 
I  regret  that  a  prior  engagement  will  prevent  my  enjoy- 
ing with  you  this  most  interesting  and  auspicious  event — 
an  event  that  history  will  record  as  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant in  your  municipal  life.  Literature  has  her  victo- 
ries as  well  as  commerce,  and  I  trust  that  the  beneficent 
influence  which  a  well-selected  and  thoroughly  read  libra- 
ry must  have  upon  the  good  people  of  Norton  will  prove 
an  ample  compensation  to  the  almoner  of  this  munificent 
gift.  I  assume  that  the  possession  of  this  structure  by 
the  town  guarantees  its  occupation  by  a  wholesome, 
varied  and  attractive  library,  which  means  a  higher  cul- 
tured people.  Accept  again  in  ray  own  behalf  and  that  of 
my  family,  our  congratulations,  and  believe  me 

Very  truly, 

J.  R.  Bronson. 

President  Chapin  announced  that  he  had  also  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  one  who  had  for  many  years 
l)een  identified   with  Norton's  history,  in  fact  none 


37 

other  than  the  historian  of  Norton,  Rev.  George  F. 
Clark,  now  of  Hubbardston,  who  in  1857,  while  pas- 
tor of  the  Unitarian  church,  compiled  the  "History 
of  Norton." 

From  Norton's  Historian. 

Hubbardston,  Mass.,  Jan.  30,  1888. 

Many  thanks  for  the  kind  invitation  to  attend  the  ded- 
icatory exercises  of  the  new  library  building,  on  the  first 
of  February  next.  I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  have  an 
important  engagement  on  that  day  which  will  prevent  my 
attendance.  But  I  greatly  rejoice  that  through  the  gen- 
erous liberality  of  Mrs.  Wheaton,  you  are  now  to  have  a 
permanent  location  for  the  library,  recently  started  in 
your  town,  and  from  this  date  on  I  hope  it  will  go  on  pros- 
pering and  to  prosper. 

It  is  an  institution  in  which  every  citizen  of  Norton 
should  feel  a  deep  interest,  and  use  all  honorable  means 
to  give  it  efficiency  and  success,  for  a  good  library  is  one 
of  the  best  educational  institutions  that  any  town  can  pos- 
sess. It  will  stimulate  the  young  in  the  desire  for  knowl- 
edge. It  will  furnish  them  with  the  means  of  profitably 
spending  many  leisure  hours  and  may  keep  them,  perhaps, 
from  places  of  questionable  resort.  To  all  who  use  it, 
it  will  afford  a  perpetual  source  of  enjoyment.  Just 
praise  should,  therefore,  be  awarded  to  those  who  have 
organized  and  made  the  project  successful,  to  induce  that 
noble  woman,  whom  I  remember  with  much  pleasure,  to 
provide  the  valuable  repository  for  the  books.  Long  may 
she  live  to  continue  her  beneficent  works  in  behalf  of  edu- 
cation and  good  morals. 


38 

Now  that  the  library  is  placed  upon  so  firm  a  founda- 
tion, allow  me  to  express  the  hope  that  the  town  in  its 
corporate  capacity  will  take  it  under  its  protecting  care 
and  yearly  make  a  generous  appropriation  for  its  support, 
and  I  hope  that  a  word  to  the  wise  will  be  sufficient. 
Though  absent  in  body  I  shall  be  present  with  you  in 
spirit  on  the  first  proximo,  and  trust  you  may  have  a  glo- 
rious and  happy  time. 

Most  truly  yours, 

Gkokgk  F.  Clahk. 

The  Orator  of  tlie  Day,  William  A.  Mowiy ,  Ph.  D. , 
of  Boston,  was  then  pleasantly  introduced  by  Presi- 
dent Chapin,  and  was  received  with  hearty  demon- 
stration. His  admirable  address  held  the  close  and 
unflao:<rin<r  interest  of  the  audience  to  tlie  close. 


THE  DEDICATORY  ADDRESS. 


THE  RELATIONS  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 
TO  EDUCATION. 

Our  American  civilization  is  an  experiment.  For 
a  full  century  we  have  maintained  a  republican  gov- 
ernment, constantly  broadening,  deepening,  expand- 
ing. Our  five  millions  of  people  have  become  sixty 
millions.  Our  eight  hundred  thousand  miles  of  ter- 
ritory have  changed  to  three  million,  six  hundred 
thousand.  Out  of  a  few  weak,  jealous,  discordant 
colonies  has  grown  one  of  the  most  powerful  nations 
of  the  earth.  Yet,  what  is  one  century  in  the  world's 
history  ?  A  thousand  years  is  but  as  a  single  day  in 
His  sight.  Our  nation  is  to-day  confronted  with 
great  perils.  We  have  a  task  placed  upon  us  more 
difficult  and  more  severe  than,  perhaps,  any  nation 
has  heretofore  staggered  under. 

In  our  early  history  the  people  were  to  a  great  ex- 
tent homogeneous.  They  were  largely  animated  by 
one  purpose  ;  they  were  governed  by  one  set  of  prin- 


40 

ciples.  Our  fathers  founded  here  a  republican  gov- 
ernment, and  the  success  thus  far  of  their  experiment 
has  been  so  great,  and  tlie  upward  progress  of  the 
people  so  rapid  as  to  attract  to  our  shores  multitudes 
from  all  parts  of  the  earth. 

OUR  COSMOPOLITAN  POPULATION. 

In  these  latter  days,  the  republic  shows  a  more  cos- 
mopolitan people  than  can  elsewhere  be  found  in  any 
one  nation  on  the  earth.  Upon  the  original  English 
stock  has  been  engrafted  a  miscellaneous  population 
from  France  and  Spain,  Italy  and  Greece,  Holland 
and  Germany,  Norway  and  Sweden,  Austria  and 
Russia,  China  and  Japan,  Africa  and  the  Islands  of 
the  sea.  There  are  to-day  American  cities  contain- 
ing more  Irish,  parents  and  children,  than  Dublin 
has ;  more  Germans,  parents  and  children,  than  any 
city  in  Kaiser  William's  realm  save  one.  We  have 
whole  towns  and  almost  entire  counties  of  Scandina- 
vians, of  Hungarians,  and  of  Italians.  In  the  midst 
of  the  city  of  San  Francisco  is  located  a  perfect  fac- 
simile of  a  town  in  China,  with  all  the  Chinese  habits, 
manners,  customs  and  vices  intact,  and  every  soul, 
except  possibly  a  few,  a  very  few  young  children, 
born  in  China.  We  have  engrafted  upon  our  nation- 
al constitution  a  provision  that  the  right  to  vote  shall 
not  be  denied  or  abridged  by  the  United  States  or 
by  any  state,  oh  account  of  race,  color,  or  previous 
condition  of  servitude.  Many  of  these  emigrants  are 
intelligent,  upright  and  moral  persons,  and  will  make 


41 

good  citizens.  Many  of  them,  however,  are  ignor- 
ant, degi-aded,  vicious.  In  too  many  cases  Castle 
Garden  has  opened  its  doors  wide  to  receive  the  pau- 
per class,  and  the  refuse  of  European  cities.  We 
are  no  longer  a  compact  community,  but  our  country 
has  gi'own  territorially,  until  it  stretches  from  the 
torrid  gulf  to  the  frozen  sea,  and  from  the  shores  of 
the  Atlantic  to  the  great  ocean. 

THE  PERILS  OF  THE  NATION. 

We  are  threatened  by  the  ignoi^ance  and  vice  of  a 
distinct  people,  a  separate  race,  lately  freed  from 
slavery,  numbering  seven  millions,  a  large  propor- 
tion of  whom  can  neither  read  nor  write.  We  are 
still  further  threatened  by  political  corruption  and 
demagogism.  Having  gone  so  far  toward  universal 
suffrage,  we  are  reaping  a  harvest  of  the  most  direful 
results  from  the  misgovernment  of  our  large  cities. 
Scarcely  a  city  of  100,000  inhabitants  in  the  land  but 
is  almost  hopelessly  involved  in  debt,  and  that  debt 
constantly  increasing,  although  the  people  are  sub- 
ject to  high  rates  of  taxation.  Scarcely  such  a  city 
can  be  found  which  is  not  under  the  control  of  a  po- 
litical ring  including  some  of  the  worst  elements  of 
society.  Amid  these  great  perils  one  may  well  pause 
and  ask  the  question :  Is  it  possible  for  the  ship  of 
state  to  avoid  the  rocks  of  ignorance  and  vice  on  one 
hand  and  to  steer  clear  of  the  shoals  and  quicksands 
of  political  jobbery,  avarice  and  corruption  on  the 


42 

other?     We  have  indeed  before  us  a  most  Herculean 
task,  but  let  us  not  despair. 

''Let  truth  and  falsehood  grapple, 
Who  ever  knew  truth  put  to  the  worse  in  fair  and  open 
conflict?" 
The  good  old  ship  will  yet  outride  the  gale.  She 
will  neither  dash  herself  to  pieces  on  Scylla  nor  run 
aground  upon  fell  Charybdis.  We  have  faith  to  be- 
lieve that  she  will  yet  anchor  in  the  haven  of  national 
thrift  and  prosperity,  having  completed  a  thoroughly 
successful  voyage. 

OUR  HOPE  FOR  THE  FUTURE. 

But  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  constantly  bear  in 
mind  that  no  ends  are  attained  without  the  necessary 
means.  Results  take  care  of  themselves  after  they 
arrive,  but  the  means  must  be  used  to  bring  them 
about.  The  means  necessary  to  attain  our  greatest 
national  prosperity  may  be  reckoned  under  five 
heads: — (1)  the  family,  (2)  the  school,  (3)  the 
church,  (4)  society  and,  (5)  the  state.  Of  the  state 
it  is  not  necessary  here  to  speak.  The  republican 
principle  of  government  by  majorities,  properly 
guarding  the  rights  of  minorities,  possibly  engrafting 
upon  our  plan  the  principle  of  cumulative  voting,  will 
certainly  in  the  end  prove  itself  successful.  The 
Christian  church  now,  as  in  all  ages,  is  absolute  truth 
fighting  against  error.  There  is  no  danger  but  that 
it  will  in  the  end  attain  a  full  success.  The  family  is 
the  unit  of  true  civilization.     The  o;reatest  advance- 


43 

ment,  the  highest  attainment,  can  never  be  realized, 
except  as  society  is  founded  upon  the  purity,  the  cul- 
ture, the  happiness  of  the  Christian  family.  We 
have,  then,  remaining,  to  be  carefully  looked  after, 
watched,  guarded,  and  improved,  the  school  and  so- 
ciety, in  their  molding  and  guiding  influences. 

THREE  CIVILIZATIONS. 

Within  the  first  quarter  of  the  17th  century,  three 
definite  and  distinct  efforts  were  made  at  colonization 
in  North  America.  These  were  the  beginnings  of  a 
contest  on  this  continent  of  three  divei*se  civilizations. 
In  the  year  1607  was  planted  the  first  permanent 
English  colony  in  this  country,  at  Jamestown,  Vir- 
ginia. The  following  year  witnessed  the  first  suc- 
cessful French  settlement,  at  Quebec.  Twelve  years 
later,  the  Pilgrims  landed  at  Plymouth,  Of  the  one 
hundred  and  five  men  who  composed  the  three  ship 
loads  of  emigrants  to  Virginia,  forty-eight  were  "gen- 
tlemen," according  to  the  notion  of  the  time.  They 
despised  work  and  expected  to  gain  wealth  either  by 
chance  or  through  the  labor  of  others.  Twelve  years 
after  the  landing  at  Jamestown  and  one  year  before 
the  Pilgrims  set  foot  on  that  solitary  rock  at  Plym- 
outh, new  elements  were  introduced  into  the  colony 
at  Virginia.  In  addition  to  twelve  hundred  new  set- 
tlers, a  company  of  "jail-birds"  were  brought  over 
and  sold  to  the  colonists  as  indentured  servants. 
These  consisted  of  one  hundred  "disorderly  persons," 
or  convicts,  sent  over  "by  order  of  the  King."    And 


u 

it  was  in  the  same  year  that  the  first  cargo  of  negi'oc!* 
from  the  African  coast  was  brought  over  by  a  Dutch 
vessel,  and  sold  to  the  planters  to  become  slaves  for 
life.  Here  we  have  then  upon  the  banks  of  the 
James  River,  on  the  little  island  of  Jamestown, — 
which  for  generations  has  been  an  al)solute  ruin,  with 
only  the  brick  chimney  of  a  church  standing  upon 
that  part  of  the  island, — the  beginnings  of  an  effort 
for  a  new  civilization,  upon  the  basis  of  a  self-suffi- 
cient aristocracy  to  be  supported  by  enforced  slave 
labor.  In  1671  Sir  William  Berkeley,  governor  of 
the  colony,  while  demanding  strict  loyalty  to  the  civil 
powers  and  conformity  to  the  established  church,  ut- 
tered these  strange  words  : — "I  thank  God  there  are 
no  free  schools  nor  printing  in  this  colony  and  I  hop  e 
there  will  not  be  for  a  hundred  years  :  for  learning 
has  brought  disobedience  into  the  world  and  printing 
has  divulged  them  and  libels  against  the  best  govern- 
ments." Another  governor  gave  the  order  : — "Allow 
no  person  to  use  a  printing  press  on  any  occasion 
whatever"  ;  and  still  another  taxed  school  masters  at 
20  shillings  a  head.  As  a  contrast  to  this  state  of 
things  and  to  these  efforts  to  promote  ignorance,  note 
the  following  : — the  governor  of  one  of  the  New  Eng- 
land colonies,  in  answer  to  certain  official  inquires  as 
to  education  said,  "One-quarter  of  the  annual  reve- 
nue is  laid  out  in  maintaining  free  schools."  France 
is  certainly  entitled  to  great  credit  for  early  attempts 
to  settle  North  America  and  especially  are  her  priests 


45 

to  be  praised  for  their  self  sacrificing  labors  iu  mak- 
ing known  the  Christian  religion  to  the  aborigines. 

The  little  settlement  at  Quebec  had  spread  itself 
right  and  left,  until  the  French  nation  controlled  the 
entire  valley  of  the  St,  Lawrence,  pushed  across  the 
Lakes  to  the  Ohio  and  the  upper  Mississippi  and 
down  that  magnificent  valley  to  the  gulf.  The  Eng- 
lish, upon  our  coast,  were  establishing  colonies, 
building  cities,  founding  new  worlds.  The  French 
were  busy,  exploring  the  country,  discovering  water- 
sheds and  river  valleys,  erecting  forts  and  proselyt- 
ing the  Indians. 

And  now  let  us  look  carefully,  with  profound  ven- 
eration and  reverent  respect,  to  the  beginnings  of 
that  true  American  civilization,  which  started  from 
Plymouth  rock  and  which  in  less  than  a  century  and 
a  half  subdued  the  French  and  swept  them  from  the 
continent,  and  which,  within  our  time,  has  triumphed 
over  the  Virginia  slave  oligarchy  and  established  this 
nation  upon  the  principles  of  universal  freedom  and 
universal  education. 

On  the  11th  day  of  November,  1620,  at  sea,  off 
Cape  Cod,  the  little  band  of  Pilgrims  "thought  it 
meet  for  their  more  orderly  carrying  on  of  their 
affairs,  and  accordingly  by  mutual  consent  they  en- 
tered into  a  solemn  combination,  as  a  body  politic, 
to  submit  to  such  government  and  governors,  laws, 
and  ordinances,  as  should  by  general  consent  from 
time  to  time  be  made  choice  of  and  assented  unto." 


46 

"Many  attempts,"  says  the  "New  England  Chroni- 
cle," "have  been  made  to  settle  this  rough  and  north- 
ern country ;  first  by  the  French,  who  would  fain 
account  it  part  of  Canada,  and  then  by  the  English, 
and  both  from  mere  secular  views.  But  such  a  train 
of  crosses  accompany  the  designs  of  both  these  na- 
tions, that  they  seem  to  give  it  over  as  not  worth  the 
planting,  till  a  pious  people  of  England,  not  allowed 
to  worship  their  Maker  according  to  His  instructions 
only,  without  the  mixture  of  human  ceremonies,  are 
spirited  to  attempt  the  settlement,  that  here  they 
might  enjoy  a  worship  purely  scriptural  and  leave 
the  same  to  their  posterity."  So  now,  having  arrived 
near  their  destination,  these  pious  Pilgrim  fathers,  in 
the  cabin  of  the  Mayflower,  put  their  names,  with 
solemn  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  to  a  written  instru- 
ment, which  became  the  forerunner  of  all  our  repub- 
lican institutions  in  America.  This  immortal  docu- 
ment has  in  it  these  words  : — "We  *  *  *  j^^ 
by  these  presents,  solemnly  and  mutually,  in  the 
presence  of  God  and  one  another,  covenant  and  com- 
bine ourselves  together  into  a  civil  body  politic,  for 
our  better  ordering  and  preservation,  and  furtherance 
of  the  ends  aforesaid  ;  and  by  virtue  hereof,  do  enact, 
constitute  and  frame  such  just  and  equal  laws,  ordi- 
nances, acts,  constitutions  and  officers,  from  time  to 
time,  as  shall  be  thought  most  meet  and  convenient 
for  the  general  good  of  the  colony  :  unto  which  we 
promise  all  due  submission  and  obedience." 


47 

This  was  the  first  embodiment  of  that  republican 
idea  which  more  than  a  century  and  a  half  later  was 
framed  into  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  to  be 
sent  to  the  world,  and  down  through  all  the  ages  in 
these  words  :  "Governments  derive  their  just  powers 
from  the  consent  of  the  governed."  The  Pilgrims 
established  themselves  in  a  country  comparatively 
bleak  and  barren,  but  which  was  hostile  to  sloth  and 
carelessness  and  favorable  to  energy  and  industry. 
The  settlers  of  New  England  were  honest,  earnest. 
God-fearing  people.  The  principles  which  they  here 
established  have  since  largely  dominated  the  whole 
country.  From  the  beginning  they  planted  the 
church  and  school  house  side  by  side.  Our  own  be- 
loved Quaker  Poet  characterizes  '■'■Our  State' ^  in 
words  which  deserve  to  be  immortal  and  should  be 
burnt  into  the  memory  of  every  school  child  in  the 
Commonwealth . 

"The  South-land  boasts  its  teeming  cane, 
The  Prairied  West  its  heavy  grain, 
The  sunset's  radiant  gates  unfold 
On  rising  marts  and  sands  of  gold. 

Rough,  bleak,  and  hard,  our  little  state 
Is  scant  of  soil,  of  limits  strait ; 
Her  yellow  sands  are  sands  alone. 
Her  only  mines  are  ice  and  stone. 

From  autumn  frost  to  April  rain, 
Too  long  her  winter  woods  complain  ; 


48 

From  budding  flower  to  falling  leaf, 
Her  summer  time  is  all  too  brief. 

Yet,  on  her  rocks,  and  on  her  sands, 
And  wintry  hills,  the  school-house  stands, 
And  what  her  rugged  soil  denies. 
The  harvest  of  the  mind  supplies. 

The  riches  of  the  Commonwealth 

Are  free,  strong  minds,  and  hearts  of  health  ; 

And  more  to  her  than  gold  or  gain. 

The  cunning  hand  and  cultured  brain. 

For  well  she  keeps  her  ancient  stock. 
The  stubborn  strength  of  Pilgrim  Rock  ; 
And  still  maintains,  with  milder  laws. 
And  clearer  light,  the  Good  Old  Cause. 

Nor  heeds  the  sceptic's  puny  hands. 

While  near  the  school  the  church-spire  stands  ; 

Nor  fears  the  blinded  bigot's  rule. 

While  near  the  church-spire  stands  the  school. 

THE  AMERICAN  PUBLIC  SCHOOL. 

The  principle  of  the  American  public  school  is 
this  :  The  property  of  the  state  shall  be  taxed  to  edu- 
cate the  children  of  the  state.  The  necessity  of  this 
principle  lies  in  the  law  of  self  preservation.  A  re- 
public cannot  stand  except  upon  the  intelligence  of 
all  the  people.  The  ignorant  voter  is  a  dangerous 
element  in  the  body  politic.  Without  intelligence 
and  integrity  no  people  can  long  be  trusted  with  the 


49 

sacred  function  of  government.  To-day  among  the 
various  perils  which  threaten  our  future  must  be 
ranked  as  foremost,  the  danger  of  the  double  igno- 
rance of  the  black  race  at  the  south  and  the  illiterate 
portion  of  our  foreign  population,  so  rapidly  pouring 
in  from  all  quarters  of  the  earth.  This  question  of 
the  uplifting  of  the  ignorant  classes  is  the  question 
of  all  questions  for  the  American  patriot  and  states- 
man. Already  is  its  importance  felt  by  thoughtful 
men  in  every  section  of  the  country.  From  the  be- 
ginning the  school-houses  have  dotted  the  hills  and 
valleys  of  New  England.  Not  so,  however,  the 
southern  states.  Their  civilization  was  of  a  different 
type,  their  body  politic  was  made  up  of  an  aristocracy 
and  a  slave  population.  Between  these  two  civiliza- 
tions there  must  inevitably  be  "an  irrepressible  con- 
flict." That  conflict  came.  It  was  long  and  severe 
but  the  result  could  not  be  doubtful.  The  intelligenec, 
the  persistent  perseverance,  the  high  moral  purpose, 
which  were  behind  the  minie  ball  of  the  North,  finally 
triumphed.  The  Great  Rebellion  was  crushed,  the 
slave  was  emancipated,  and  slavery  was  forever  pro- 
hibited through  our  whole  domain  by  Constitutional 
enactment.  Then  it  was,  that  the  two  distinctive  New 
England  institutions,  the  public  school  system  and 
Thanksgiving  Day,  became  nationalized. 

It  is  particularly  to  be  noticed  that  we  have  not 
only  had  an  immense  immigration  from  all  foreign 
lands  but,  meantime,  and  somewhat  incident  to  this, 


50 

there  has  been  going  on  a  great  migration  of  our  own 
people  from  one  section  to  another.  New  England 
first  settled  the  valley  of  the  Ohio,  and  later 
pushed  forward  westward,  until  through  her  own 
sons  she  has  largely  molded  the  policy  of  all  the 
Northwestern  states  and  those  of  the  Pacific  slope. 
Wherever  New  England  men  have  gone  they  have 
planted  the  public  school.  Intelligence  follows  in 
the  train  of  New  England  emigrants.  Northern  men 
are  now  migrating  to  the  South  land.  Florida  is  to- 
day almost  a  Northern  state.  Atlanta  is  called  a 
Northern  city,  and  Chattanooga  has  few  Southern  el- 
ements in  it.  Tennessee  is  rapidly  developing  its 
mineral  and  other  resources  through  Northern  enter- 
pnse.  Missouri  now  retains  but  little  of  the  Border 
Ruffian  element.  The  Carolinas,  Georgia,  Lousiana, 
Texas,  and  New  Mexico  are  rapidly  being  leavened 
by  Northern  men.  Every  state  in  the  Union  has  to- 
day an  organized  system  of  public  schools,  already 
in  operation. 

PROGRESS  IN  EDUCATIONAL  THOUGHT. 

Never  before  in  the  history  of  this  country,  or  any 
other,  has  the  thought  of  the  whole  people  been  so 
generally  turned  to  educational  questions  as  to-day. 
Books  on  psychology,  pedagogy  and  methods  of  in- 
struction are  published  by  scores  and  hundreds.  The 
best  thought  of  English  minds  has  been  reproduced 
by  American  publishers  and  receives  a  wide  circula- 
tion.    A  single  book,  by  an  English  author,  re-pub- 


51 

lished  here,  has  had  a  sale  of  5000  copies  within  a 
short  time,  Reading  Circles,  Schoolmasters'  Clubs, 
Teachers'  Associations,  both  county  and  state,  and 
great  national  gatherings,  numbering  thousands  of 
the  teachers  in  our  public  schools,  are  from  time  to 
time  discussing  important  questions  relating  to  edu- 
cation. The  daily  press,  the  monthly  magazine,  and 
the  quarterly  review,  are  all  considering,  in  the  most 
vigorous  manner,  questions  relating  to  public  educa- 
tion. Not  only  the  statesman,  the  learned  professor, 
and  the  leading  teacher,  but  the  whole  people  are 
coming  to  a  rational  discrimination  as  to  the  proper 
province,  in  this  matter  of  education,  of  the  family, 
the  school,  civil  society,  the  church  and  the  state.  A 
more  intelligent  view  now  prevails  of  the  special 
province  of  the  school,  the  important  function  of  the 
ohurch,  and  the  positive  duties  of  society  in  their 
several  relations  to  education.  It  has  sometimes 
been  supposed  that  to  the  school  should  be  relegated 
everything  pertaining  to  education.  But  it  is  now 
more  clearly  seen  that  education  is  much  broader 
than  the  school,  and  must  include  our  whole  life. 
A  portion  of  it  is  assigned  to  the  family,  another  por- 
tion to  the  church,  the  state  controls  and  supports 
the  public  schools,  in  some  cases  extending  to  the 
university.  In  other  cases  private  munificence  must 
endow  seminary  and  college.  Meantime  we  are 
rapidly  coming  to  understand  the  vast  importance  of 


52 

guiding,  directing,  controlling    and  stimulating  the 
reading  habits  of  our  communities. 

THE    PUBLIC    LIBRAltY. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  our  pro- 
gress in  intelligence  and  in  thrift  is  the  growing  at- 
tention now  given  to  the  public  library.  This  move- 
ment may  be  said  to  have  begun  in  connection  with 
the  district  schools  of  New  England  and  New  York 
about  fifty  years  ago.  As  the  special  division  of 
townships  into  sc*hool  districts  is  unwise  and  unphil- 
osophical,  so  the  establishment  of  separate  libraries 
for  each  school-house  could  hardly  l)e  expected  to 
prove  entirely  successful.  The  public  libraries,  how- 
ever, in  towns  and  cities,  are  now  attaining  great 
success  and  assuming  their  proper  importance.  The 
gigantic  strides  made  by  our  American  people  within 
fifty  years  in  the  establishment  and  upbuilding  of 
public  libraries  is  nothing  less  than  marvelous.  In 
1836,  there  were,  according  to  the  best  reports,  in 
our  country  but  57  of  those  public  libraries  which  in 
the  year  1876  numbered  each  10,000  volumes  or 
more.  That  list,  however,  in  1876  numbered  266 
libraries.  In  1836  the  aa^ffregate  number  of  volumes 
in  the  57  libraries  was  580,201.  Forty  years  later 
the  266  libraries  aggregated  6,984,882  volumes. 
In  1876  there  were  3,647  public  libraries  in  the 
United  States  with  over  300  volumes  in  each,  and  a 
total  number  of  12,276,964  volumes.  Ten  years 
later  still,  1886,  there  were  5,338  libraries  contain- 


53 

ing  each  300  volumes  or  more  and  they  contained 
an  aggregate  of  18,560,000  volumes.  To  broaden 
this  comparison  still  farther,  and  to  observe  the 
growth  of  public  libraries  by  periods,  not  confining 
our  list  to  the  larger  libraries  as  before,  it  appears 
that  between  1775  and  1800,  30  libraries  which 
now  number  242,171  volumes  were  established. 
Between  1800  and  1825,  179  libraries  now  number- 
ing 2,056,113  volumes  were  formed.  Between  1825 
and  1850,  551  libraries  now  containing  an  aggregate 
of  2,807,218  volumes  were  founded.  Between  1850 
and  1875,  2,240  libraries  which  now  number  a  total 
of  5,481,068  volumes  were  instituted.  In  1875  there 
were  in  the  country  2,953  libraries,  each  containing 
more  than  20,000  volumes  and  having  a  total  of  12,- 
039,724  volumes  :  two  of  these  libraries  containinof 
one-half  million  volumes. 

The  little  state  of  Rhode  Island  has  now  over  80 
public  libraries,  each  containing  over  300  volumes, 
and  all  of  them  an  aggregate  of  nearly  500,000  books. 
The  Old  Bay  State,  ever  foremost  in  matters  of  learn- 
ing and  general  intelligence,  now  points  to  569  such 
libraries,  which  contain  more  than  3,500,000  volumes. 

A  NATION  OF  READERS. 

From  these  figures  it  plainly  appears  that  our  peo- 
ple, throughout  the  whole  country,  are  awaking  to 
the  importance  of  looking  after  the  reading  of  the 
masses.  At  a  time  when  greater  efforts  are  making 
than  have  ever  before  been  made  for  the  education  of 


54 

all  the  children  of  the  country,  it  is  un  encouraging 
sign  that  civil  society  is  arousing  itself  to  guide,  di- 
rect, control  and  increase  the  general  reading  of  the 
people.  Indeed,  it  is  surprising,  when  we  think  of 
it,  that  this  important  department  of  education  has 
not,  at  an  earlier  date,  received  its  proper  attention. 
We  are,  indeed,  fast  becoming  a  nation  of  readers. 
Doubtless  many  persons  read  too  much.  The  guid- 
ance that  they  require  is  quite  as  important  as  that 
of  those  who  read  too  little.  There  is  a  class  in  every 
community  who  may  be  called  omnivorous  readers. 
They  are  what  Horace  calls  "lieluones  librorum," 
gormandizers  of  books.  They  seize  upon  books  witli 
avidity,  skim  over  the  pages,  are  pleased  with  the 
images  spread  before  their  minds,  which  they  only 
glance  at,  and  seem  to  take  great  satisfaction  in  the 
consciousness  that  they  have  read  such  a  large  num- 
ber of  books.  A  man  of  this  sort  may  read  forever 
without  increasing  his  mental  ability  or  making  any 
real  addition  to  his  stock  of  useful  knowledge.  In- 
deed such  persons  seem  to  make  not  the  slightest 
distinction  between  learning  and  that  practical  wis- 
dom which  makes  learning  available.  The  poet 
Cowper,  in  his  "Task,"  well  illustrates  the  difference 
between  knowledge  and  wisdom  : — 

"Knowledge  and  Wisdom,  far  from  being  one, 
Have  oft  times  no  connection.     Knowledge  dwells 
In  heads  replete  with  thoughts  of  other  men  ; 
Wisdom  in  minds  attentive  to  their  own. 


55 

Knowledge,  a  rude  unprofitable  mass, 

The  mere  materials  with  which  Wisdom  builds, 

Till  smooth'dand  squared,  and  fitted  to  its  place. 

Does  but  encumber  what  it  seemed  to  enrich. 

Knowledge  is  proud  that  he  has  learned  so  much  ; 

Wisdom  is  humble  that  he  knows  no  more. 

Books  are,  not  seldom,  talismans  and  spells. 

By  which  the  magic  art  of  shrewder  wits 

Holds  an  unthinking  multitude  enthrall'd. 

Some  to  the  fascination  of  a  name 

Surrender  judgment  hoodwink'd.     Some  the  style 

Infatuates,  and,  through  labyrinths  and  wilds 

Of  error,  leads  them,  by  a  tune  entranced. 

While  sloth  seduces  raore^  too  weak  to  bear 

The  unsupportable  fatigue  of  thought, 

And  swallowing,  therefore,  without  pause  or  choice 

The  total  grist  unsifted,  husks  and  all." 

It  was  Isaac  Taylor  who  said: — "Thinking,  not 
growth,  makes  manhood.  Accustom  yourself,  there- 
fore, to  thinking.  Set  yourself  to  understand  what- 
ever you  see  or  read.  To  join  thinking  with  reading 
i^  one  of  the  first  maxims,  and  one  of  the  easiest 
operations." 

AIDS  TO  PROPER  READING  HABITS. 

This  class  of  readers  needs  that  gentle  but  persist- 
ent aid  in  the  way  of  suggestions  and  hints  which  a 
good  librarian  learns  by  experience  how  to  give,  and 
which  are  so  essential  to  the  proper  usefulness  of 
books.  But  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  nature 
everywhere    furnishes   an  antidote  for  evil.     Those 


56 

who  have  had  the  most  to  do  with  reading  and  read- 
ers need  not  to  be  told  that  the  average  mind  will 
oftentimes,  without  much  aid,  bring  itself  out  of  this 
diflSculty.  This  law  is  apparent  with  regard  to  the 
quality  of  reading.  We  have  in  our  country  a  class 
of  libraries  usually  termed  circulating  libraries. 
These  aim  to  furnish  the  most  popular  reading  to  all 
comers,  charging  a  fee  of  a  few  cents  a  week  for  the 
use  of  the  books.  The  class  of  books  principally 
found  in  these  libraries  is  often  of  a  lower  order  of 
ability  and  worth ;  mostly  fiction,  largely  stories  of 
crime  and  criminals,  remarkable  adventures,  hair- 
breadth escapes  or  silly  love  stories.  This  sort  of 
reading  often  proves  harmful.  At  best  it  is  only 
feeding  on  husks.  But  I  believe  that  most  librarians 
have  observed  that  this  kind  of  mental  pabulum, 
whether  it  be  of  the  sawdust  kind,  or  hollyhocks  and 
sunflowers,  or  lobelia  and  ipecac,  in  very  many  cases 
cures  itself.  The  reader  is  either  nauseated  and  so 
turning  from  such  books  in  disgust  seeks  better  food, 
or  finding  no  nutrition  in  sawdust,  he  becomes  really 
hungry  for  that  which  will  nourish  and  strengthen. 
I  have  known  many  a  boy  dive  into  this  lower  grade 
of  novel  reading,  swim  along  through  the  slimy, 
muddy,  loathsome  pool,  become  disgusted  with  the 
taste  and  sight  of  such  stuff,  pull  to  shore,  leave 
the  stench  behind  him  and  washing  himself  clean  in 
the  pure  running  stream  of  good  books,  come  forth 
purified,  healthy,  vigorous.      While  it  is  doubtless 


57 

true  that  minds,  reall}'  vicious  iu  their  tendencies 
and  desires,  are  often  permanently  injured  by  bad 
reading,  I  believe  it  to  be  equally  true  that  the  aver- 
age youth  is  quite  likely,  after  a  time,  to  weary  of 
the  lower  grades  of  reading  and  betake  himself  to 
books  of  a  higher  and  better  quality.  Yet  even  in 
such  cases,  how  much  better  would  it  be,  if  all  young 
persons  by  kindly  hints  and  pleasant  suggestions 
could  be  l)rought  in  contact  with  books  equally  in- 
teresting and  far  more  profitable,  thus  saving  them 
from  the  wasteful  and  uncomfortable  experience  of 
feedins:  for  so  lonjr  a  time  on  husks  and  choke-cher- 
ries. 

TOO    LITTLE    READING. 

By  far  the  larger  part  of  the  community,  however, 
belong  to  that  class  who  read  too  little.  The  man  of 
business  becomes  so  absorbed  in  his  merchandise  and 
his  stocks  that  he  loses  all  taste  for  fine  thought  and 
clear-cut  ideas,  rhythmical  cadences,  charming  sen- 
tences, beautiful  word-painting.  Many  a  mechanic 
and  laboring  man,  wearied  with  his  long  hours  of  toil, 
has  no  disposition  in  the  evening  to  sit  quietly  by  his 
own  fireside  and  enjoy  a  beautiful  poem,  a  fine  essay, 
an  article  from  the  latest  magazine,  or  a  vigorous  ap- 
peal from  his  newspaper.  He  may,  indeed,  take  up 
a  newspaper  of  a  lower  grade,  run  his  eye  over  the 
columns  of  facts,  news,  figures,  and  reports  of  vice 
and  crime,  and  then  lay  the  paper  down  in  disgust, 
as  he  ought  to.     Besides,  it   cannot   be    disguised, 


58 

that  we  have  everywhere  too  many  persons  with 
empty  heads.  Adhering  to  the  inner  surface  of  the 
cranium  there  may  be  a  few  cells  of  grayish  matter, 
resembling  somewhat  the  brain  substance,  just 
enough  to  cause  them  to  utter  a  mild  cachi nation  at  a 
stale  joke  or  a  pun.  They  may  be  able  to  dance  or 
walk,  or  nde,  to  eat  and  drink,  to  have  an  eye  for 
tinery  and  bright  colors  and  appear  to  have  a  kind  of 
enjoyment  in  certain  classes  of  company,  especially 
such  as  are  as  ignorant  and  liijht-headed  as  them- 
selves.  Sometimes  such  persons  cultivate  muscle, 
sometimes  stomach,  sometimes  they  travel  and  spend 
the  money  which  others  have  earned,  yet  in  travel- 
ling they  appear  to  see  not  with  their  eyes,  hear  not 
Avith  their  ears  and  have  no  understanding.  Now, 
all  patriots  and  philanthropists  should  ever  bear  in 
mind  that  those  faculties  which  are  exercised  con- 
stantly gain  in  strength.  If  the  faculty  of  flippancy 
or  story-telling  or  joke-cracking  is  exercised,  then 
the  growth  comes  in  that  direction.  If  the  exercise 
be  of  the  John  L.  Sullivan  kind,  or,  far  better,  the 
use  of  the  blacksmith's  arm,  then  muscle  is  the  prod- 
uct. So  hy  the  same  law  if  the  brain  be  put  to 
work  and  kept  at  proper,  stated  and  continued  tasks, 
it  will  gain  in  power.  I  have  known  the  empty 
skull  of  a  brainless  youth  to  become  tilled  from  exer- 
cise and  study, — in  a  word  from  education,  healthful 
reading  and  finally,  thought, — with  proper  brain  tis- 
sue so  as  to  give  its  possessor  such  powers  of  thought. 


59 

memory,  reason  and  reflection  as  to  make  of  him  an 
intelligent,  useful  and  successful  man.  In  thus  ele- 
vating the  different  members  of  the  community,  the 
public  li])rary  is  destined  to  perform  an  important 
work. 

THE    LIBRARIAN, 

The  librarian  holds  a  responsible  position.  He  has 
the  power  of  making  himself  a  real  benefactor  to  his 
race.  But  he  must  be  trained  for  his  position.  "To 
begin  with,"  says  Mr.  F.  B.  Perkins,  formerly  of  the 
Boston  public  library,  "business-like  management  is 
the  whole  story.  A  public  library  for  public  use 
should  be  managed  not  only  as  a  literary  institution 
but  as  a  business  concern.  The  business  department 
of  educational  and  literary  institutions  is  too  often 
overlooked  or  undervalued."  With  proper  business 
management  the  public  library  will  be  brought  into 
close  relationship  to  the  schools  as  well  as  to  the  pub- 
lic. The  librarian,  on  the  one  hand,  should  reach 
out  to  the  readers,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  teach- 
er should  put  his  pupils  into  communication  with  the 
librarian.  This  he  may  do  often  by  sending  the  pu- 
pils individually  with  a  note  or  other  message  to  the 
librarian.  In  other  cases  the  teacher  may  visit  the 
library  in  company  with  one  or  more  of  his  pupils. 
Says  Mr.  W.  E.  Foster  of  the  Providence  public  li- 
brary :  "In  order  that  the  pupil  may  use  to  the  best 
advantage  that  portion  of  the  library  which  is  suita- 
ble for  him,  special  efforts  need  to  be  made  in  his 


behalf  on  the  part  of  the  library  as  well  as  the  school. 
The  librarian  should  be  willing  not  merely  to  pre- 
pare special  lists  but  to  coiiperate  with  the  teacher 
whenever  it  appears  that  important  benefit  may  be 
rendered  in  individual  cases."  Mr.  Foster  further 
says  that  another  "function  of  the  library,  which  is 
coming  to  be  more  fully  acknowledged,  is  that  it  not 
only  furnishes  the  material  for  the  reading  of  the 
public  but  also  as  far  as  possible  indicates  the  meth- 
ods of  reading  and  study."  No  one  knows  better 
than  Mr.  Foster  what  the  library  can  do,  not  only  in 
"indicating  the  method  of  reading  and  study,"  but 
also  in  directing,  guiding,  and  stimulating  this  read- 
ing and  study.  No  one  has  done  more  than  Mr. 
Foster,  during  the  last  few  years,  in  introducing  new 
and  improved  methods  by  which  the  usefulness  of 
the  library  has  been  greatly  increased. 

•QUALITIES  OF  A  LIBRARIAN. 

A  librarian  in  order  to  be  of  the  highest  usefulness 
in  his  work  must  be  (1)  an  accurate  scholar,  with  a 
clear  head  and  good  judgment.  (2)  An  affable  man, 
easily  approachable  by  old  and  young.  (3)  A  well 
read  man,  knowing  the  contents  of  his  books  and 
ready  to  give  a  correct  judgment  as  to  their  charac- 
ter. (4)  He  should  be  an  enthusiast  in  his  profession. 
(5)  He  should  be  a  man  of  the  best  character  and 
should  have  genuine  love  for  young  people.  That 
his  work  should  be  of  the  greatest  service,  and  the 
library  over  which  he  presides  the  most  useful,  he 


61 

should  not  be  hampered  by  too  strict  rules  of  the 
trustees.  In  general,  it  is  very  clear  that  the  man- 
agement of  the  public  library  will  exercise  great  res- 
pect for  the  suggestions  of  their  librarian  and  if  he 
have  proved  himself  wise  and  reliable,  they  will  ever 
encourage  him  to  express  his  views  upon  all  points 
as  to  how  the  library  may  be  rendered  more  efficient. 

THE  LIBRARY  AND  THE  TOWN. 

There  will  always  be  found  a  reciprocal  influence 
between  the  library  and  the  town.  On  the  one  hand 
the  usefulness  of  the  library  depends  very  largely 
upon  the  character  of  the  people.  They  must  be  edu- 
cated up  to  its  use  and  to  an  appreciation  of  its  value. 
It  is  clear  that  a  library,  even  of  the  best  character 
and  under  the  best  management,  would  be  of  but  little 
worth  among  savage  tribes  of  Indians.  Its  value  will 
everywhere  and  in  all  cases  be  enhanced  by  the  gen- 
eral intelligence,  the  educational  advamtages,  culture 
and  elevation  of  the  people.  On  the  other  hand  the 
library  is  designed  to  cultivate  and  to  elevate  all 
classes  of  people.  To  produce  the  best  results,  its 
management  should  aim  to  furnish  to  all  the  people, 
old  and  young,  of  average  intelligence  and  of  the 
highest  intellectual  culture,  the  necessary  means  for 
two  things,  namely,  intellectual  improvement  and 
intellectual  entertainment.  It  should  strive  by  all 
possible  means  to  gain  access  to  every  class.  It 
should  reach  out  its  arms  to  the  old  and  place  accept- 
able reading  in  their  hands.     It  should  ever  open  its 


62 

treasures  to  business  men,  such  as  would  benefit  them 
and  attract  their  attention.  It  should  have  a  word  of 
encouragement  for  the  disheartened  and  desponding. 
It  should  furnish  amusement  and  instruction  to  the 
indolent,  that  large  class  in  some  communities,  fre- 
quently termed  "constitutionally  inactive."  It  should 
provide  proper  food  for  the  ambitious  and  those  who 
are  desirous  to  better  their  condition  and  improve 
their  prospects.  It  should  furnish  a  variety  not  only 
of  the  best  reading  but  of  such  reading  as  will  prove 
to  be  the  most  available,  that  is,  the  best  that  these 
several  classes  will  receive  and  appreciate.  It  should 
take  great  care,  therefore,  not  to  shoot  above  the 
heads  of  the  people.  Above  all,  and  before  all,  it 
should  take  the  greatest  pains  to  provide  all  sorts  of 
reading  appropriate,  entertaining  and  beneficial,  for 
the  young.  For  with  this  class,  this  large  and  impor- 
tant class  in  the  community,  will  be  its  most  efficient 
work.  The  librarian  should,  therefore,  put  himself 
into  easy  communication  and  the  most  intimate  rela- 
tions with  all  the  teachers  of  schools,  public  and  pri- 
vate. He  should  be  free  to  make  suggestions  to  these 
teachers  and  to  call  their  attention  directly  to  various 
liooks  adapted  to  the  children  in  their  classes.  He 
may  furnish  to  the  public,  from  time  to  time,  lists  of 
books  upon  topics  of  public  interest. 

For  example,  a  distinguished  lecturer  comes  to  the 
town,  to  speak  upon  a  certain  subject,  perhaps  the 
tariff.     It  is  entirely  immaterial  to  the  work  of  the  li- 


63 

brarian  whether  the  lecturer  favors  a  high  protective 
tariff  or  whether  he  is  a  free  trader.  How  greatly 
the  usefulness  of  the  library  may  be  increased  by 
posting  upon  its  bulletin  board  a  well  selected  list  of 
books  bearing  upon  this  topic,  containing  the  best 
thought  of  the  wisest  men,  upon  the  subject. 

Again  suppose  Mr.  John  Fiske  delivers  a  lecture 
before  the  people  of  the  town,  upon  Gov.  Hutchin- 
son of  Massachusetts.  Here  is  a  subject  about  which 
many  know  but  little.  It  is  an  important  topic  in 
our  early  history,  but  great  difference  of  views  pre- 
vail concerning  the  character  and  influence  of  Gov. 
Hutchinson.  The  librarian  may  greatly  add  to  the 
usefulness  of  his  library  and  increase  the  intelligence 
of  the  people  among  whom  he  lives,  by  preparing  for 
them  and  posting  in  the  library  a  carefully  selected 
list  of  books  touching  upon  this  disputed  subject. 

The  farmers'  club  holds  a  meeting  in  the  town  and 
discusses  with  more  or  less  intelligence  the  subject  of 
the  cultivation  of  strawberries,  or  under  drainage,  or 
top  dressing.  Let  us  suppose  that  for  a  week  prior 
to  this  meeting  a  list  of  books,  the  best  in  the  world 
upon  the  subject  in  question,  is  posted  in  the  library. 
The  farmers  call  in,  on  their  way  home  from  the  store 
or  the  gristmill,  take  out  a  book,  read  up  beforehand 
and  when  the  time  comes  they  are  prepared  to  discuss 
with  greater  intelligence  and  more  interest  the  topic 
in  hand. 


64 


G001>   RESULTS. 

It  will  readily  be  seen  that  by  such  a  course  as 
here  indicated  the  librarian  plays  an  important  part 
in  molding  the  thought,  increasing  the  intellectual 
activity  and  furthering  the  prosperity  of  the  town. 
A  town  which  puts  to  proper  use  a  good  public  libra- 
ry of  books,  well  selected  and  under  proper  manage- 
ment, can  scarcely  fail  of  being  thrifty  and  intelli- 
gent. And  what  a  vast  difference  these  things  make 
in  the  character  of  a  community.  There  are  towns 
in  our  country  noted  for  their  dram  shops,  their 
gambling  places,  their  dog  fights  and  cock  fights,  for 
the  drunkeness  and  squalor  and  unthrift  of  the  inhab- 
itants. What  a  contrast  exists  in  every  way  between 
such  a  town  and  the  town  of  Concord  in  our  state,  or 
of  Pittsfield,  or  Andover,  or  Norton.  Would  you 
like  to  take  up  your  residence  in  a  community  where 
no  man  can  read?  Where  no  one  has  a  book? 
Where  no  newspaper  makes  its  regular  visits? 
Where  there  is  no  public  library,  and  where  no  post- 
office  is  needed?  On  the  other  hand  how  delightful 
a  place  for  one's  residence  would  that  town  be  where 
all  the  women  are  Mrs.  Stowes,  or  Julia  Ward 
Howes,  or  Mary  Lyons,  and  all  the  men  were  Haw- 
thornes,  and  Way  lands,  and  Lowells. 

And  now,  citizens  of  Norton,  permit  me  to  con- 
gratulate you  on  your  favorable  surroundings  and 
improvements  and  increasing  facilities.  You  are  for- 
tunate in  your  history :  fortunate  in  your  location ; 


65 

fortunate  in  your  citizens  and  your  institutions.  That 
town  is  surely  to  be  congratulated  which  is  distin- 
jruished  for  its  liberal  minded  and  benevolent  citizens. 
Fortunate  indeed  is  the  community  which  has,  in 
addition  to  good  public  schools,  a  liberally  endowed 
and  efficient  seminary  of  learning.  And  now  you  are 
to  come  into  possession  of  this  highly  useful  and  ex- 
ceedingly beautiful  building,  which  is  to  contain  the 
treasures  of  thought  and  the  beauties  of  wisdom 
gathered  from  all  countries  and  from  all  ages.  This 
noble  gift,  from  a  family  which  has  for  so  long  a 
period  been  identified  in  such  generous  ways  with 
all  the  interests  and  all  the  prosperity  of  your  town, 
will,  for  all  time  to  come,  prove  of  the  greatest  use- 
fulness to  your  community.  It  will  increase  the 
value  of  your  real  estate,  improve  the  quality  of  your 
people,  add  both  to  your  virtue  and  your  intelligence 
and  be  the  means  of  attracting  to  your  town  for  per- 
manent residence  families  of  material  wealth,  intel- 
lectual cultivation  and  moral  virtue.  Jealously  and 
sacredly  guard,  protect  and  transmit  this  great  bless- 
ing :  magnify  your  opportunities,  appreciate  your  ad- 
vantages, make  the  most  of  the  blessings  God  has 
given  you.  So  shall  you  "Add  to  your  faith,  virtue  ; 
and  to  virtue,  knowledge ;  and  to  knowledge,  tem- 
perance ;  and  to  temperance,  patience ;  and  to  pa- 
tience, godliness ;  and  to  godliness,  brotherly  kind- 
ness ;  and  to  brotherly  kindness,  charity." 


CONCLUSION. 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  address  by  Dr.  Mowry, 
the  choir  sang  "America"  : — 

"My  countr}',  'tis  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty." 

President  Chapin  asked  the  indulgence  of  the  au- 
dience while  another  communication  Avas  read,  a  letter 
just  placed  in  his  hands,  from  the  "ladies  of  Norton." 
It  informed  them  that  a  collation  was  prepared  at  the 
Town  Hall  close  by,  and  cordially  invited  all  and 
every  one  to  come  and  receive  freely  at  the  close  of 
the  dedication  exercises.  The  benediction  was  then 
pronounced  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Lane,  and  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable all  were  on  the  way  to  the  hall. 

THE  COLLATION. 

Upon  entering  the  hall  the  people  saw  the  entire 
floor  and  platform  covered  with  rows  of  long  tables 
laden  with  abundant  provision  of  food  and  beautiful 


68 

floral  decorations,  with  a  goodly  number  of  young 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  attendants,  awaiting.  When  all 
were  seated  the  divine  blessing  was  invoked  by  Rev. 
Jacob  Ide  of  Mansfield,  and  for  nearly  an  hour  the 
bountiful  repast  was  enjoyed.  At  the  close  of  the 
feast  General  Chapin  arose  and  said  that  Mrs.  Whea- 
ton  felt  joyous  and  grateful  for  the  events  of  the  day 
and  desired  to  express  to  the  people  her  great  satis- 
faction and  pleasure  for  the  beautiful  arrangements 
and  services,  and  her  thanks  to  the  friends  from 
Mansfield  who  have  delighted  us  with  their  musical 
talent. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Lane  then  arose  and  said  that  while  we 
all  appreciated  the  sentiments  of  gratitude  expressed 
by  Mrs.  Wheaton,  it  seemed  fitting  that  the  people 
should  also  give  expression  to  their  joy  ;  he  therefore 
moved  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions  : — 

That  the  heartj^  thanks  of  the  people  of  Nortou  and  of 
this  assembly  are  here  expressed  : — 

To  Mrs.  Ehza  B.  Wheaton  for  her  noble  gift,  with  the 
prayer  that  she  may  live  long  to  witness  the  benefit  to  the 
town,  and  have  the  consciousness  of  a  memorial  in  the 
hearts  of  all  for  many  generations. 

To  the  Unitarian  society  for  the  use  of  their  church,  and 
to  the  ladies  for  the  skill  and  beauty  of  their  decorations. 

To  the  ladies  and  all  cooperating  with  them  for  their 
sumptuous  collation. 

To  the  representatives  of  the  press  for  their  presence 
and  reports  of  this  memorable  occasion. 

To  the  choir  from  Mansfield  for  their  choice  music. 


69 

To  Miss  Lucy  Larcom  for  her  excellent  poem,  to  the 
reader  for  so  finely  rendering  her  sentiments,  and  to  Dr. 
William  A.  Mowry  for  his  eloquent  and  appropriate  dedi- 
catory address ;  and  that  copies  are  requested  for  publi- 
cation. 

These  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously. 

President  Chapin  then  very  felicitously  called  upon 
and  introduced  in  succession  Rev.  Jacob  Ide  of  Mans- 
field, Rev.  C.  F.  Nicholson  of  Norton,  and  George 
Randall,  Esq.,  editor  of  the  Attlehoro  Advocate,  v^ho^e, 
brief  addresses  sparkled  with  wit  and  wisdom  and 
o^ave  ureat  deliofht  and  satisfaction  to  all. 

AFTER  THE  DEDICATION. 

The  grateful  spirit  in  which  the  services  rendered 
by  the  ladies  were  appreciated  in  their  decorations  at 
the  church,  and  in  furnishing  the  collation,  is  indica- 
ted by  the  following  note  from  General  Chapin  : 

To  the  Ladies  of  the  Dedication : — Mrs.  A.  H.  Sweet, 
Mrs.  G.  H.  Talbot,  Mrs.  G.  A.  Noyes,  Mrs.  R.  P. 
Hodges,  Mrs.  E.  T.  Wetherell,  and  their  associates. 
Dear  Ladies  : — A  resolution  of  thanks  for  all  your  de- 
voted and  artistic  work  in  decorating  the  church  and  pro- 
viding that  sumptuous  and  beautiful  collation  on  the  oc- 
casion of  dedicating  the  Public  Library  Building  on  the 
Ist  inst.,  was  very  appropriate  and  well  deserved,   but 
not  so  substantial  and  abiding  as  it  ought  to  be.     As  an 
expression  of  my  own  sincere  thanks  and  gratification  al- 
low me  to  present  you  my  check  for  $100,  with  which  to 
fill  one  section  in  the  library  with  "Good  Books"   and 


70 

have  the  section  marked  with  an  engraved  plate,  and  to 
be  forever  known  as  "The  Ladies  Dedication  Section." 

I  have  a  desire  on  this  occasion  especially  to  be  placed 
on  record  with  good  company,  and  will  you  allow  me  to 
make  that  check  $200,  that  I,  also,  may  personally  fill  a 
section  next  to  your  own,  which  may,  if  agreeable,  be 
called  "The  Chapin  Section."  I  presume  our  worthy 
board  of  directors  will  accede  to  this  request  when  they 
recall  the  fact  that  I  have  gladly  devoted  many  days  and 
weeks  to  this  noble  enterprise  during  the  period  of  con- 
struction, embracing  more  than  a  year  and  a  half.  I  have 
in  view  other  good  friends  of  the  library  in  town  and 
elsewhere  who,  I  think,  will  cheerfully  each  assume  the 
task  of  filling  a  section  on  similar  terms.  Is  it  not  worth 
while  to  make  an  effort? 

I  am  sincerely  and  cordially  yours, 

Samuel  A.  Chavin. 

The  interest  avrakened  by  this  occasion  had  an  ex- 
pression a  few  days  after  in  several  donations  of 
choice  books  for  the  library,  among  them,  one  by 
Miss  Lucy  Larcom,  who  gave  a  line  edition  of  her 
published  works  of  several  volumes  from  the  well 
known  firm  of  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.  ;  another  by 
Rev.  Wm.  M.  Thayer,  of  Franklin,  who  sent  a  num- 
ber of  his  published  works  fresh  from  the  press,  ac- 
companying the  gift  by  the  following  note  : 

Franklin,  Mass.,  Feb.  3,  1888. 
Rev.  J.  P.  Lane. 

Dear  Bro. : — The  memory  of  my  mother,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  Norton,  and  one  of  the  best  and  noblest  women 
that  ever  lived,  is  very  dear  to  me.    All  that  I  am  or  ever 


71 

expect  to  be  I  owe  to  her.  That  I  received  a  collegiate 
education  was  due  to  her.  That  I  entered  the  Christian 
ministry  was  due  to  her.  That  I  became  an  author  was 
due  to  her.  Therefore  I  take  great  pleasure  in  present- 
ing the  accompanying  books  to  the  Free  Public  Library 
of  her  native  town,  assuring  the  custodians  thereof  that, 
but  for  her,  the  gift  would  never  have  been  made. 

Truly  Yours, 

Wm.  M.  Thayer. 

The  venerated  and  beloved  former  pastor  of  the 
Unitarian  church,  Rev.  W.  P.  Tilden  of  Milton,  with 
pleasant  reminiscences  of  former  days,  sent  kindly 
greeting,  accompanied  with  a  gift  of  sixteen  volumes 
of  excellent  books  from  his  own  library,  inscribed 
with  his  autograph.     Of  these  he  wrote  ; — 

"I  have  not  selected  old  books  stowed  away  on  the  up- 
per shelves  that  nobody  will  read,  but  books  of  real  worth, 
some  of  which  I  have  only  recently  obtained.  It  is  pos- 
sible that  some  slight  value  may  be  attached  to  these  vol- 
umes by  my  old  friends,  from  the  fact  that  they  have 
been  a  part  of  my  own  library.  At  all  events  I  send 
them  gladly  as  a  small  contribution  to  the  Norton  Library, 
which  promises  to  be  a  perennial  and  immortal  blessing." 

Of  the  sixteen  volumes  thus  given,  "Buds  for  the 
Bridal  Wreath,"  of  which  Mr.  Tilden  is  the  editor, 
and  "Seventy,"  an  account  of  his  own  birth-day 
commemoration,  are  of  special  interest  to  his  many 
friends  in  Norton. 

A  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard, 
D.  D.,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  in  memory  of  her  father  and 


72 

the  interest  he  always  felt  in  his  native  town,  sent  u 
choice  gift  of  popular  and  standard  works,  with  best 
wishes  for  the  success  of  the  library. 

Rev.  Wm.  Barrows,  D.  D.,  of  Reading,  formerly 
pastor  of  the  Trinitarian  Cong'l  Church  here,  sent  a 
full  set  of  his  published  works,  nine  volumes,  with 
expressions  of  interest  and  congratulation  to  the  town. 

Mr.  Seneca  Sanford,  of  the  well-known  firm  of 
Estes  &  Lauriat,  publishers,  Boston,  sent  a  choice 
selection  of  25  volumes,  some  of  the  most  popular 
works  issued  by  that  firm. 

A  friend  of  the  library,  requesting  that  his  name 
should  not  be  mentioned,  with  kind  greeting  sent  a 
hundred  dollars  to  the  treasurer  for  the  purchase  of 
books. 

An  additional  collection  of  66  volumes,  most  of 
which  are  of  rare  value,  belonging  to  the  private  li- 
brary of  the  late  Miss  Ann  E.  Carter  and  Miss  M.  L. 
Melius,  were  also  generously  given.  All  the  books 
given  have  been  incorporated  in  the  new  catalogue  as 
it  was  passing  through  the  press,  though  they  could 
not  all  appear  in  the  alphabetical  order,  those  not  so 
appearing  being  placed  as  a  supplementary  list  at  the 
end  of  the  catalogue. 

We  hear  of  other  intended  gifts  and  are  assured 
that  the  libraiy  has  a  large  place  in  the  interest  and 
good  will  of  many  friends.  We  cannot  doubt  that  it 
will  be  always  cared  for  as  a  treasured  Norton  insti- 
tution. 


133 

6^ 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


Series  9482 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A     000  743  869     0 


^■■^VV!: 


m 


-.r,i'{. 


